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LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Avelox Antibiotic Linked to Nerve Damage and Tendon Ruptures


Avelox (moxifloxacin hydrochloride), is in a class of antibiotic drugs known as fluoroquinolones, which includes Cipro and Levaquin. Avelox antibiotic is used to fight bacterial infections and is generally prescribed to treat bacterial sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. However, the oral fluoroquinolones have been linked to serious side effects, including peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) and tendon ruptures. Both Avelox nerve damage lawsuits and Avelox tendon rupture lawsuits have been filed against Bayer.

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Avelox Peripheral Neuropathy

aveloxperipheralneuroPeripheral Neuropathy is a painful form of damage to one or more peripheral nerves—the nerves that transmit information from your brain and spinal cord to all of the other parts of your body, including your arms, legs and organs. Peripheral nerve damage means that this information is disrupted. Peripheral Neuropathy has a number of causes, but it is becoming more common as more people are taking FQ antibiotics such as Avelox.

Avelox was developed by Bayer AG and approved for sale in the U.S. in 1999. In 2011, over 2.5 million people were given oral or intravenous (IV) Avelox. However, reports of fluoroquinolone antibiotics associated with peripheral neuropathy have been increasing since 1992.

Avelox Peripheral Neuropathy Research and Warnings

asbestosjapaneseresearch A study published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy back in December 2001 found that FQ peripheral nerve damage occurred within days of taking the antibiotic and often persisted for months.

The Journal Neurology in August 2014 found that people taking fluoroquinolones (FQs), including Avelox, were at a high risk—almost double—of developing peripheral neuropathy (PN). Dr. Mahyar Etminan and other researchers at the University of British Columbia' Child and Family Research Institute found that users faced an 83 percent increased risk of developing FQ nerve damage, and new users could potentially have double the risk of nerve damage, when compared to those not taking the drugs.

The researchers indicated that doctors should carefully consider whether the benefits outweigh the risks of Avelox and other FQ antibiotics when prescribing them to patients.

The study, which examined 6,226 cases of PN and compared them to 24,904 controls, was published online one year after the FDA issued a drug safety warning (August 15, 2013) indicating that all FQs may carry a risk of peripheral neuropathy. The FDA ordered drug manufacturers, including Bayer, to include information about rapid onset of nerve damage symptoms and permanent complications.

Avelox Peripheral Neuropathy Side Effects

Avelox peripheral neuropathy warning was added to the FDA Safety Announcement with the following information:
    Cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and/or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones including AVELOX. Symptoms may occur soon after initiation of AVELOX and may be irreversible. AVELOX should be discontinued immediately if the patient experiences symptoms of peripheral neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness or other alterations of sensation including light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, and vibratory sensation.


Avelox Peripheral Neuropathy Lawsuits

Avelox lawsuits claim that Bayer should have known about FQ nerve damage risks. In August 2014, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Bayer HealthCare claiming the label of its antibiotic Avelox failed to adequately warn about the risk of peripheral neuropathy (Case No 3:14-cv-3680). Plaintiff Sherri Kellerman, a resident of Tennessee, was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. In the lawsuit, Kellerman says she would have used another antibiotic if Bayer had properly warned about the risk of peripheral neuropathy.

According to the complaint, the label on Avelox was false and misleading between September 2004 and August 2013. The FDA originally required warnings about peripheral neuropathy in 2004, but Bayer and other drug makers only warned about "rare cases"of sensory nerve damage and didn't mention permanent nerve damage, contrary to previous studies indicating otherwise.

Avelox Tendon Rupture

Tendon RuptureAvelox antibiotic tendon ruptures can involve the Achilles heel, shoulder, hand, bicep or thumb. The risk of tendon ruptures is increased in patients older than 60, people who have received kidney, heart or lung transplants, and people on steroid therapy. Tendon swelling and tendon rupture can also occur in patients who do not have any of those risk factors. Furthermore, tendon ruptures can occur up to several months after treatment with Avelox is complete.

Avelox Side Effects

Avelox carries a black box warning alerting patients to the risk of Avelox tendon rupture and tendonitis (tendinitis). The warning came after Public Citizen—a public advocacy group—and the Illinois Attorney General's office petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to place a black box warning on Avelox.

Avelox has also been linked to an increased risk of liver injury including liver failure. This risk has been reflected on labeling information for the drug in Canada and in Europe.

According to Bayer's website, Avelox has been used to treat 109 million patients worldwide.

Avelox Tendon Rupture Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a tendon rupture or tendon damage while taking the antibiotic Avelox, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
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AVELOX LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Fluoroqinolone Antibiotics Require Black Box Warning for Heart Rhythm Side Effects
Fluoroqinolone Antibiotics Require Black Box Warning for Heart Rhythm Side Effects
November 17, 2015
Santa Clara, CA: Fluoroqinolone antibiotics, including Levaquin, Avelox and Cipro, should have a new black box warning regarding the risk of heart rhythm problems according to Public Citizen, a prominent national watchdog group. READ MORE

Woman Files Lawsuit Against the Makers of the Fluoroquinolone Avelox
Woman Files Lawsuit Against the Makers of the Fluoroquinolone Avelox
March 3, 2015
Bayer and Merck are facing a product liability lawsuit filed by a woman from Nebraska who alleges she developed peripheral neuropathy while on the popular antibiotic Avelox. READ MORE

Fluoroquinolone Increases Risk for Permanent Nerve Damage, FDA Warns
Fluoroquinolone Increases Risk for Permanent Nerve Damage, FDA Warns
August 16, 2013
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued notice that it requires the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs to be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy (PN). This serious nerve damage potentially caused by fluoroquinolones may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may be permanent. READ MORE

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

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I took Avelox 6 months for Micbacterium Avium Complex. I am suffering day & night with Peripheral neuropathy & pressure in my head & brain & my eyes are very sensitive to light. I am tired constantly. I have to work because my husband is on disability due to brain injury. I need insurance to continue going to the doctor who has destroyed my life. I am at the end. Is there anyone that can help me. Avelox should be banned.

Posted by

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My nerves died in legs. Sensory and motor nerves have very serious problems communicating with my brain. I have numbness, clumsy and I am in a wheelchair after 4 years of a huge hospital testing, biopsy and testing, treatment to help me. My tendons are in bad shape. Now my eyes are showing the effects of 3 six week IV treatments of Avelox plus small doses of cipro and I did start out on another bad boy drug in this class by IV but it didn't take care of my surgery acquired infection. 2011 through 2014 I was on IV drugs and pills in this class. I had a knee replacement several times. Oh, and it did one heck of a number on my liver. My creation has been slightly elevated since then and it might be because I developed diabetes from the drugs to stop the fast moving neuropathy (steroid treatment) 2014. None was very successful cept the numbness didn't go higher. I talk to text. My hands do very little. My life is all doctor appointments and so is my spouses. That's our date - physical therapy break lunch time. I can't walk due to tendons!

Posted by

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Avelox shut down my system and I got toxic because of it and had to be in intensive care for 3 days and wasn't suppose to make it because my kidneys were only functioning at 11% I ended up taking dialysis 3 days and my kidneys started functioning but not before I had to have a trachea put in and being put on a ventilator which I'm still on till this day.

Posted by

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I was prescribed Avelox for chronic sinus infection, took 21 days worth. Not soon after I had left shoulder pain, now it is progressively worse with tendonitis in supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. It is constant and chronic pain and seems to get worse every year

Posted by

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I took Avalox once, two years ago. The cause was terrible Anaphylaxis almost immediately. Epinephrine, ambulance, the ER, the whole work, but it's the first time I've ever had any allergic reaction. Now, I feel pains and twinges throughout my muscles and body that can't be figured out, twitches ever now and then, muscle weakness. Also, the slight headaches and infrequent migraines I used to have as a late teen and early 20's, have now become a daily occurrence of headaches and very frequent migraines.

Could taking one time, with this serious traumatic Anaphylaxis, also cause nerve issues? I don't remember even having these nerve issues five years ago.

Posted by

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I was not responding to the usual Z-Pak for my chronic bronchitis so my VA primary doc prescribed Avelox. I have some arthritis from L-3 to S-2 that presses on my sciatic nerve that causes numbness. 4 months ago I took Avelox that caused a simple small strike to the inside of my left ankle. within a week it went from a simple red bump to a large lump that became painful and eventually the swelling cracked and burst. The VA Podiatry dug out and flush the cavity and issued me the flushing solution and antibiotic paste and after a month it got better and better and with my diligent wound care healed. However I was told to be cautious far side effects of tendon tears and tendentious.. Lately my sciatica numbers has turned to more frequent total loss of control of my leg and it collapses. I now suffer from unexplainable pain and extreme muscular weakness that lasts for hours in one or both legs and arms. I cannot sleep for more than 3-4 hours. I recognize the lack of focus, concentration, irritability and possible depression. This past Sunday I collapsed due to my legs becoming to weak to the bathroom My wife and I spent 4 1/2 hours from 1;30 to 6am trying to get me at least to my knees and for all my repeated efforts even with my wife's help I could not muster the strength to even climb into my recliner. I fear this drug is irreversibly damaging me nervous system. I'm not sure whether to turn first to the legal system or trust the VA. It is one thing to get injured and face recovery it is another to face a future at 63 of ongoing deterioration because of a drug company. I seek your advice regarding Avelox.

Posted by

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The morning after being released from the hospital where I was treated for pneumonia, I stood up and immediately collapsed to the floor. Diagnosed with broken tendon in left foot, I was told by the doctor that this happens alo when taking certain antibiotics. Little did I know then thT not only my foot was damaged but my whole nerve system had been effected.
That included the xiphoid process where it now hurts to eat especially if I have tried to drive before or after eating., eliminate what I eat has become a problem also... I was already in pretty rough shape from a car wreck but still able to do things, now all I can say is "I am alive"... Not living but alive.

Posted by

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Patellar tendon rupture and emergency surgery. Presently out of work and in a brace with limited mobility.

Posted by

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Severely torn tendon in right shoulder. Surgically repaired and now awaiting surgery on left. Both injuries occured within about 90 days after taking Avelox.

Posted by

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Bilateral elbow tendon ruptures, 2 bilateral tendon repair surgeries, one tendon died resulting in a third surgery, lost my job and my life will never be the same as a result of Avelox. I wish I had never taken Avelox.

Posted by

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My case was one of the worst my surgeon had ever seen and has left me with almost no movement of my left shoulder.

Posted by

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Took Avelox for an ear infection/sinus infection 10/05. Before I finished the course of the medication, I had heart palapations, anxiety attacks, ringing in my hears with sound sensativity and almsot passed out several times. Stopped the meds and symptoms continued to get worse and I was in bed for 6 weeks in constant pain. I was finally prescribed Paxil and I am functional but still suffer knee and shoulder pain and my body doesnt seem to regulate temperature very well. My doctor at the time liked to refer to it as I had an allergic reaction. But I still suffer from the affects of Avelox every day and think about it every day.

Posted by

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Injury so severe I have lost most use of my left arm even after surgery and 7 months of therapy.

Posted by

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She was hospitalized in the ER and Intensive Care. She is recuperating at our home now. She has intense pain, has to wear a cervical collar, walk with a walker, and developed a painful bedsore in the hospital and another at home. She worries about medical costs. We have reported the reaction to Avelox to the FDA.

Posted by

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I have pain when I walk and it is especially bad going up and down stairs or walking on an incline or decline. When going up or down inclines or stairs I feel like the tendons will rip in two and then they ache for several hours afterward. I am an RN and have to be on my feet all day and I am worried this will interfere with my job.

Posted by

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For over a year the tendons in my legs have given me trouble, I couldn't use my arms because the tendonitis was so bad. I had muscle weakness, bruising, lethargia, joint pain, and could barely sleep. Work was difficult for me because I do physical labor for a living.

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