Fluoroquinolones: Serious Side Effects May Put You in Need of a Lawyer

Audrey Snyder | | Dangerous Products

For years a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones have been prescribed to patients suffering from infections such as:

  • Pneumonia
  • Bronchitis
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Respiratory Tract Infections
  • And Other Similar Issues

However, these powerful antibiotics are now known to cause very serious side effects, like aortic aneurysms, which can result in hospitalization and even death.

Too Big a Risk for Too Small a Problem?

Doctors say that fluoroquinolones can potentially weaken the wall of the aorta, causing it to balloon (an aneurysm) or tear in between the inner and middle layers of the aorta (dissection). While aneurysms or dissections can be fixed with surgery, they can also lead to death if not detected early on.

You may be thinking this seems like an awfully big risk to take for treatment of something as minor as a urinary tract infection. Ultimately, if prescribed the antibiotics, only you can make that call.

What we can do at Ward Black Law is help you know when you need to involve a lawyer. If you or a loved one have used fluoroquinolones and it’s resulted in a hospital stay or death, learn when a lawyer may be able to help.

The Fluoroquinolones Family

First, it’s important you know all the antibiotics that fall under the fluoroquinolones umbrella:

  • Avelox® (moxifloxacin)
  • Factive® (gemifloxacin)
  • Floxin® (ofloxacin)
  • Maxaquin® (lomefloxacin)
  • Noroxin® (norfloxacin)
  • Proquin XR® (ciprofloxacin extended-release)
  • Zagam® (sparfloxacin)

If you’ve been prescribed one of these and took at least one dose, and if you experienced severe health complications within a year of taking the antibiotic, that’s the first sign that you may need to seek legal assistance.

When It’s Time to Call a Lawyer

Before contacting a lawyer, it’s important you make sure the symptoms you experienced are ones that have been connected to fluoroquinolones.

Signs of severe aortic problems linked to the use of these antibiotics include but are not limited to:

  • A pulsating feeling around your navel
  • Severe pain in or around the sides of your abdomen
  • Constant back pain

It’s crucial to note you may have a lawsuit if:

  • You or a loved one required surgery and overnight hospitalization for an aortic aneurysm or dissection and took a fluoroquinolones within one year of the surgery, you may be entitled to compensation from a lawsuit.
  • You had a loved one die from an aortic aneurysm or dissection within one year of taking a fluoroquinolones antibiotic, you may be eligible to pursue a lawsuit.

How We Can Help

Our attorneys at Ward Black Law have experience with lawsuits and settlements related to dangerous drugs. If you or a loved one suffered an aortic aneurysm or dissection from a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, you need to act quickly!

Schedule a Free Consultation Call us today at 336-502-6208 to schedule a free consultation.

Author: Audrey Snyder

Audrey Snyder is an attorney supporting the firm in the areas of injury claims, including defective products, occupational diseases, and workers’ compensation. She began working with Ward Black Law late in 2017 as a contract attorney and formally joined the team in the spring of 2018.  She engages her passion for helping the defenseless and has a desire to “stand up for the little guy.”