Levaquin Cancer Drug Antacids Antibiotic
Levaquin is a common over the counter pain reliever used to treat mild to moderate arthritic and osteoarthritis pain in patients who experience joint inflammation and pain. It is taken up to six weeks before it is starting to work and should be taken with other anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. The patient should take the medication with a glass of water that has been boiled in a half pint of lukewarm water and then swallowed with food or milk. Other precautions are that it should not be taken with alcoholic beverages, and that no one should take more than three tablets at one time.
Levaquin contains quinolone as its active ingredient, which is a synthetic compound that mimics the effects of an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, but without all of the negative side effects that come with those drugs. The FDA has approved the use of levaquin for the treatment of arthritic and osteoarthritis pain. However, a recent study by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease found that the use of quinolone for non-malignant arthritic hip and knee joint pain led to an increased risk of developing genetectomies, a condition wherein the cancer grows from within the tissues of the organs. The news of the new study comes just weeks after the publication of a study by the Mayo Clinic in a medical journal that indicated that taking quinolone significantly increased the risk of genetectomies among patients who also had osteoarthritis.
In response to these findings, the plaintiffs’ attorney filed a Levaquin lawsuit against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the company that produces the drug. According to the complaint, the manufacturer knew that its products were defective, yet continued to promote the product despite knowledge of the potential risks. Also, Levaquin was advertised as an “effective, non-inflammatory alternative to NSAIDs and acetaminophen for arthritic pain,” even though it contains an ingredient that can cause cancer. Furthermore, the manufacturer knew that its users may develop “fever, unexplained fatigue, gastrointestinal bleeding, rash, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and drowsiness,” yet continues to promote the drug.
The class action suit further claims that Janssen did not warn consumers about the potential side effects associated with its use. For example, it contains the harmful chemical bromine, which increases heart rate and blood pressure. Other side effects include hallucinations, seizures and liver damage. Another dangerous ingredient in Levaquin is the antineoplastic agent benzene, which may possibly stand firm on the FDA’s classification system for prescription and over-the-counter products. This chemical has been banned in some European countries due to its cancer causing properties.
Levaquin was pulled off of store shelves in Canada due to its connection to cancer. Additionally, Levaquin users began to report experiencing serious gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea, constipation and flatulence. This class action lawsuit hopes to put Levaquin back in the hands of patients who want to maintain their health, and are not harmed by taking this harmful and addictive arthritis medication.
The class action lawsuit is seeking a substantial amount of compensation on behalf of those who used Levaquin, as well as their families. While the claim may be quite large considering that Levaquin was pulled off of store shelves in Canada, the legal team is hopeful that the courts will take the same measures they have ordered numerous times in the past. In addition, Levaquin users who believe that they suffered side effects while taking the cancer drug are encouraged to contact their physician for a full check up, and a prescription for a different anti-inflammatory medication. Levaquin may possibly stand firm on its classification as an NSAID and as a cancer drug antacids antibiotic drug despite the recent recall, as the FDA has yet to classify any other potential negative side effects.