FQ antibiotics have been known to cause several serious side-effects, and have recently been targeted by several product liability lawsuits.

Antibiotics fight against common microbes that may compromise one’s health after infection. They act in a number of ways such as disabling the microbe, lysing into it (compromising the microbe’s outer cell membrane, leading to its death), arming the immune system to win the battle over the microbe, or stopping the microbe from multiplying.

One of the most common classes of antibiotics is known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics (often referred to as FQ or FLQ antibiotics). These are usually given to people with sinus infections, urinary tract infections, or respiratory infections.

Examples of common FQ antibiotics include:

• Cipro®
• Levaquin®
• Avelox®
• Floxin®
• Noroxin®
• Factive®

The problem with these antibiotics is that the bacteria which causes these problems has long evolved to develop a resistance towards them. Doctors thus commonly over-prescribe them in the hopes of beating the bacteria; an exercise in futility most of the time. If they do work, they come with a basket full of side-effects.

In fact, the FDA determined that FQ antibiotics were so dangerous that they required an additional “black box warning” (the most-strict type) on their labels in order to inform the public of the possibility of these severe side effects.

Side-Effects Associated With Antibiotic Therapy

Peripheral neuropathy, one of the most-serious side-effects, is a condition which affects the nerves in your body after a course of heavy antibiotics. Your body has nerves which branch out from your spinal cord to the top of your head, all the way to the bottom of your soles. Peripheral neuropathy tends to affect nerves in your hands and legs, and may cause disturbing symptoms such as numbness, dizziness, headaches, tingling, burning, psychosis, shooting pain, anxiety and panic attacks. Unfortunately, coupled with the relatively fast onset of peripheral neuropathy, the damage caused may be permanent.

Other side effects caused by fluoroquinolone antibiotics can include the development of myasthenia gravis, tendon rupture, aorta rupture, aortic aneurysm, and internal bleeding.

Tendon Rupture and Tendonitis

Tendons are tough muscle tissues which connect muscles to bone. Any kind of injury to them may cause serious complications such as extreme pain, paralysis, inability to use an affected limb, and more.

These injuries can incapacitate you and put you out of work for a long time. In addition to affecting the quality of your life, you may need surgery, pain medication as well as physical therapy until your tendons heal.

Suffered FLQ Antibiotic Side Effects? You May Have Legal Options.

Across the country, lawyers are representing countless people who have been injured by common FLQ antibiotics such as Cipro, Levaquin and Avelox. They have been pushing for a mass tort in order to file a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of these dangerous drugs. This usually takes time since the legal process and case consolidation has to pass through a number of courts in order to get approved.

As an individual who has to move on with their life, your best bet at getting the justice you deserve is to get in touch with a product liability lawyer in your area and request a free consultation.