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Levaquin, an antibiotic used to treat various types of bacterial infections, has been linked to numerous side effects. Levaquin side effects may range from mild to life-threatening, and doctors say that the likelihood of side effects increases the longer Levaquin is taken.

Levaquin Side Effects: Toxic Epidermal Necrosis

A rare but serious side effect of Levaquin is a life-threatening skin condition called toxic epidermal necrosis, also commonly referred to as Lyle’s Syndrome. Typically, this side effect is caused by an adverse reaction to over-the-counter or prescription drugs, such as Levaquin. In rare instances, however, toxic epidermal necrosis is induced by an adverse reaction to an infection or illness.

When toxic epidermal necrosis occurs as a Levaquin side effect, it usually develops one to three weeks after taking Levaquin. Although this side effect can affect many parts of the body, toxic epidermal necrosis most severely affects the mucous membranes, such as the mouth and eyes.

Symptoms of this Levaquin side effect may include:

• persistent fever
• conjunctivitis (sore eyes)
• measles-like rash (small red spots) developing into painful, rapidly extending areas of red skin
• sloughing of the skin and mucous membranes without forming fluid-filled blisters
• exposed moist, red and tender areas left as top layer of skin peels off in sheets
• cracked, bleeding lips that form crusts
• extreme pain

Levaquin Side Effects: Tendon Ruptures

Because Levaquin weakens tendons, tendon ruptures are a possible side effect of Levaquin. This Levaquin side effect is extremely painful and requires surgery and months of rehabilitation. Other antibiotics similar to Levaquin may also cause this side effect. The other antibiotics that may cause tendon ruptures as a side effect include: 

• Penetrex (Enoxacin, made by Aventis)
• Tequin (Gatifloxacin, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb)
• Cipro (Ciprofloxacin, made by Bayer)
• Maxaquin (Lomefloxacin, made by Unimed)
• Avelox (Moxifloxacin, made by Bayer)
• Noroxin (Norfloxacin, made by Merck)
• Floxin (Ofloxacin, made by Daiichi-Sankyo)

Levaquin Side Effects Lawyers

If you or a loved one took Levaquin and experienced serious side effects, such as TEN or tendon rupture, contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.