The Minnesota federal judge overseeing the Levaquin multidistrict litigation allowed punitive damages in the first trial after finding that plaintiff John Schedin presented reasonable evidence that defendant Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. knew or disregarded research that the antibiotic could cause tendon injuries, tried to prevent European regulatory action that would affect the drug's reputation and "manipulated" a study "to produce a commercially favorable result," according to an order that was unsealed May 12. Potential plaintiffs who have any questions in regards to Levaquin litigation and filing a lawsuit of their own should first speak to an experienced Levaquin lawyer.Levaquin is a potent anti-bacterial medication for which the generic name is levofloxacin. It is manufactured and marketed by Ortho McNeil; however the patent on the product has expired and several generic versions are in circulation. In the United States, approved usage of the drug includes sinusitis, exacerbated chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and prostatitis. The serious side effects of Levaquin, which include: tendon rupture and rotator cuff tear are affecting thousands of individuals.
Levaquin has been associated with increased risk for tendonitis and ruptured tendons. The entire class of drugs (fluoroquinolones) into which Levaquin falls is not approved for use with children except under special circumstances, due to the potential for damage to the musculoskeletal system, as well as the danger for fatalities. The new black box warning was enforced because the FDA says this class of drug worsens a condition known as myasthenia gravis. The black box warning is the strongest warning the FDA can impose on a drug that is already approved for public use. Fluoroquinolones like Levaquin already had a black box warning against them because they have been found to cause Levaquin tendon rupture and damage to patients, as well as other tendon problems.
No comments:
Post a Comment