3 Levaquin lawsuits filed citing tendon problems

A total of 15 Illinois residents have filed three lawsuits against Johnson and Johnson for the reported adverse Levaquin side effects that they saw caused muscle problems.

According to the suit, which was filed on September 2 in Madison County Circuit Court, the 15 plaintiffs say they were unaware at the time that the medication had the potential to cause an increased risk of tendon problems, the Madison St. Clair Record reports.

Though there were reportedly warnings released about Levaquin tendon ruptures when the medication was released in the U.S. in 1997, the plaintiffs claim the side effect was "buried" within a long list of potential reactions.

"More disturbingly, Defendants' promotional campaign was themed on Levaquin's excellent safety profile and failed to disclose the risks of tendon injury," according to the suit.

The suit added that the warnings failed to state that tendon injury was tripled when the Levaquin medication was used in people over the age of 60 or who were on corticosteroid therapy.

It has been reported that the medication has been responsible for 1,044 reports of tendon injuries and 282 reports of tendon ruptures between 1997 and 2005.