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This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its previous warnings on a group of strong antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. The FDA will now require additional information be printed on the boxes, labels and patient medication guides to include warnings of potentially serious side effects on muscles, joints and nerves. It is also recommended that this class of antibiotics only be used for severe bacterial infections.
Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics including Levaquin, Cipro, Alelox and Factive, along with their generic formulas. The FDA began issuing warnings on these drugs in 2008 for a risk of tendonitis. In 2013, the administration advised on the potential for neuropathy when using the medication. Last year, they determined this class of drugs was not recommended for less serious conditions such as sinus infections, acute bronchitis and minor urinary tract infections.
The latest update from an FDA safety review on Levaquin and the other antibiotics states that fluoroquinolones should be used to treat powerful bacterial infections such as anthrax, bacterial pneumonia and even the plague. They should only be prescribed for minor conditions when there is no other treatment option simply because the risks outweigh the benefits. The concerning side effects include permanent damage to muscles, joints, tendons and the central nervous system, some of which are known to flare up at the same time. These symptoms can begin to occur anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks after taking the medication.
Antibiotics serve an important role in fighting infection in the body. Medication, however, should never be the cause of a potentially debilitating condition. If you have suffered an injury or illness due to taking Levaquin or any other defective drug, you need an attorney who will not back down from the major pharmaceutical companies. Please contact the skilled and experienced lawyers at the top firm of Finz & Finz, P.C., to fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Finz & Finz, P.C. is a New York and Long Island personal injury law firm based out of Mineola, NY. It was founded in 1984 and is highly rated, with many honors and awards of excellence.
