Antibiotics can have serious side effects, worse than the condition the drug was prescribed for. Some patients report side effects that require a surgical procedure, emergency or critical care within just a few days or after taking the drug for some time. The antibiotics in question could be in oral, topical, or injectable form, and sold under many brand names including those listed below.

If you or someone you know has been prescribed antibiotics and experienced serious side effects, has a medical procedure that may have been caused by injury or damage as a result of taking the drug, or suspect the drug has caused injury, contact the defective drug attorney team at the Harman Law Firm. Contact us today or call (404) 554-0777.

Current antibiotic drugs and the side effects being investigated for potential lawsuits

Zithromax®, also known as Zmax® (azithromycin)

On May 17, 2012 and updated on March 12, 2013, the FDA issued warnings regarding the potentially fatal side effects of this drug, including:

• cardiac injury, heart attacks and
• diabetes

The manufacturer of this drug is also being investigated for possible negligence in the drug’s research and “failure to warn” of the seriousness of the drug’s potential injury to patients.

Fluoroquinolone drugs including Levaquin® and others

The FDA issued a drug safety alert that the agency is requiring the manufacturer of the antibiotic Levaquin (levofloxacin), Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and of other fluoroquinolone drugs revise the labeling to warn patients of the risk of serious side effects including antibiotic nerve damage.  Previously, these drugs were implicated in tendon tears and ruptures in the arms and legs, also serious injuries.

This type of antibiotic nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, can occur “any time during or after treatment with fluoroquinolones and can last for months to years after the drug is stopped or be permanent.”

The FDA says the risk of peripheral neuropathy occurs only with fluoroquinolones that are taken by mouth or by injection.

Fluoroquinolone drugs include:

• levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• ofloxacin (Floxin)
• gemifloxacin (Factive)

The topical formulations of fluoroquinolones, applied to the ears or eyes, are not known to be associated with this risk.

Patients who are taking or who have taken the drug and are experiencing or have experienced peripheral neuropathy should contact their health care professional immediately to prevent further damage or injury due to decreased sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, and touch or pressure.

According to the Mayo Clinic, peripheral neuropathy symptoms may include:

• Gradual onset of numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, which may spread upward into your legs and arms
• Burning pain
• Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch
• Skin, hair or nail changes
• Lack of coordination
• Muscle weakness or paralysis if motor nerves are affected
• Heat intolerance if autonomic nerves are affected
• Bowel, bladder or digestive problems if autonomic nerves are affected
• Changes in blood pressure, causing dizziness or lightheadedness, if autonomic nerves are affected

Some of the side effects of antibiotics that could indicate harm or injury to a patient from other antibiotics include:

• damage to or irregularities in vision, heart, liver, kidney, muscle or skeletal systems
• change in heartbeat, vision, digestion, blood sugar levels or cognition
• severe skin rashes, sometimes painful or disfiguring, sensitivity to light or seizures
• psychiatric issues including depression, psychosis, hallucinations
• death

Harman Law Firm lawyers represent clients across the United States who have been injured by dangerous pharmaceutical products and medical devices, as well as patients affected when a drug is recalled or in class action. There may be time limits for filing a claim.

Contact the Harman Law Firm today or call (404) 554-0777 for a no cost, no obligation, initial consultation. As always, if you experience a severe reaction while taking any drug, seek immediate medical attention.