New research suggests Levaquin and Avelox side effects may include double vision

Antibiotics in the fluoroquinalone class have been linked to potential concerns over tendon ruptures, and now scientists say that the list of Levaquin and Avelox side effects may also need to incorporate double vision.

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University compiled more than 170 reports of double vision, or diplopia, with the average time to onset of roughly 9 days.

Lead author Dr Frederick Fraunfelder hypothesized that previous links between side effects of tendinitis and the weakening of connective tissue in the eye could be the reason why patients administered the drug suffered from double vision.

Commonly used to treat some types of pneumonia and bacterial infections, fluoroquinalones like Avelox and Levaquin have been the subject of recent lawsuits concerning their effects on tendons in the body, with some patients alleging ruptures following courses of treatment.

Lawsuits continue to mount for sister drug, Levaquin, over whether it is being prescribed in spite of the risk of tendinitis and other potential medical problems.