Back pain is a generic symptom that can indicate damage, infection or injury to the spine, digestive system and/or urinary tract system. When Levaquin patients experience back pain, it may mean that they are experiencing serious side effects of this medication, namely kidney damage, acute pancreatitis and/or liver problems.

Patients who begin to develop back pain as a result of Levaquin should see their doctors for a thorough exam to properly identify the source of this pain. Should damage to the pancreas, liver or kidneys be the cause, it's crucial that patients work with their doctor to find an alternative antibiotic medication and pursue all prescribed treatments to prevent further damage to these organs.

If you've suffered from Levaquin-related injuries and you feel that you may need to take legal action, contact our Levaquin attorneys today.

What is Levaquin?

Generically known as levofloxacin, Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic medicine prescribed in the treatment of severe bacterial infections affecting the skin, internal organs, eyes and ears. Levaquin comes in the form of pills, an oral solution, and an injectable solution. The precise dose of Levaquin prescribed to a given patients will depend on the nature and severity of his condition, as well as his medical history.

In most cases, patients are prescribed Levaquin 500mg (as opposed to 250mg or 750mg) for 5 to 14 days. Levaquin medication can be taken with or without food and should be taken:

• On an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after eating)
• With a full (8oz) glass of water
• For the exact length of time prescribed, regardless of whether symptoms clear up (Any antibiotic should be taken for the entire course prescribed, as bacteria can still exist and infections can recur even when symptoms of the infection are latent.)

Levaquin Side Effects

The majority of Levaquin patients will only develop minor, if any side effects, such as constipation, mild skin rash and sleeping problems. In rare cases, however, Levaquin has been reported to cause severe, life-threatening health complications, including:

• Damage to the liver, kidneys and/or pancreas
• Double vision
• Fatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Heart problems, including arrhythmia and/or cardiotoxicity
• Muscle deterioration
• Nerve damage to the hands and/or feet
• Neuromuscular diseases
• Permanent loss of vision and/or loss of color vision
• Severe allergic reaction
• Severe anemia
• Severe central nervous system (CSN) disorders
• Spontaneous tendon rupture and tendinopathy
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS, a separation and death of the skin cells) and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN, a more severe form of SJS)

Levaquin patients who develop any of the above conditions should seek emergency medical care. Once their health is stable, they should contact one of our Levaquin attorneys to find out if they qualify to seek compensation for their damages.