New York 3/5/2009 6:23:13 AM
Bacteria Fighter Levaquin May Cause Serious Adverse Reactions
Information Portal Consumer Injury Lawyers, one of the most comprehensive legal websites on the internet, continues to update its Levaquin information portal with new articles providing more detail and insight relating to Levaquin.
Levaquin, also know as levofloxacin, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic manufactured by LevaquinOrtho McNeil Pharmaceutical. Levaqquin has been on the market since December of 1996, when it was approved to treat bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate. It is also used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, and to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax. It works by killing many of the types of bacteria that can infect these areas.
Levaquin works to fight these bacteria infections by stopping the production of the proteins bacteria needs to survive. Currently, Levaquin is the most powerful germ-killing antibiotic in the class known as fluoroquinolones on the market. Levaquin is so potent that the U.S. military actually stockpiles a form of it for possible biological warfare.
As Levaquin is so potent, it also may kill good bacteria along with the bad. After the good bacteria is killed, other unwanted bacteria can start to take over, creating an imbalance and leading to side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. Levaquin can also affect the central nervous system, which can cause drowsiness, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, restlessness and headaches. Also, Levaquin can weaken cartilage and cause joint damage. More serious side effects include hallucinations, seizures, and the life-threatening skin condition known as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These conditions are rare, and are most commonly associated with overdosing on Levaquin, due to the high potency.
Studies have shown that about 9% of people taking Levaquin experience one or more of these side effects. This percentage accounts for more than 140,000 emergency room visits as a result of adverse reactions to bacterial infection antibiotics, such as Levaquin.
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