I-Team: Patients Say Popular Drug Caused Devastating Side Effects

BOSTON (CBS) – Fluoroquinolones are among the most widely prescribed type of antibiotics. Many patients say instead of helping them heal, however, these powerful drugs have made them sicker. The most widely known version is Levaquin. The Food and Drug Administration is being pushed to increase the warnings about how these drugs should be used. Andrea Siani is on crutches and has a hard time getting around her Concord house. She was treated with a generic version of Levaquin after coming down with pneumonia last winter. After nine days on the drug, she says her arms went numb during the day. “That night I woke up, around midnight, and if felt like flames were coming out of my elbows.” Just a week before, she had been skiing at Tuckerman’s Ravine in New Hampshire. Today she is counting her steps, trying to conserve what little energy she has left. “The limitations are extreme. My life has become very small,” said Siani. “I can’t go out and do errands. I can’t food shop.” Thousands of patients have reported similar reactions to Levaquin. The I-Team found one case which had been filed at the US District court in Boston. A Martha’s Vineyard man sued the drug manufacturer, saying he suffered severe and debilitating tendon injuries. Today, Levaquin has a black box warning from the Food and Drug Administration for increased risk of tendon ruptures, muscle weakness, and impacts on the central nervous system. A black box warning is the most severe safety adv...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Watch Listen Fluoroquinolones i-team Janssen Pharmaceuticals Lauren Leamanczyk Levaquin Source Type: news