Levaquin and Cipro

Levaquin and Cipro are part of the fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics. Levaquin is used to treat infections in the urinary tract, bones, abdomen, lower respiratory system and skin, while Cipro treats bacterial infections in the skin, lungs and urinary tract.

The FDA has reported that patients taking Levaquin and Cipro have been experiencing serious tendon injuries, including Achilles tendon ruptures. In July 2008, the FDA reported over 800 cases of tendon ruptures, tendonitis and other tendon disorders in patients taking Levaquin. In addition, over 300 reports of tendon ruptures occurred in Cipro patients. The FDA then required both Levaquin and Cipro to include a black box warning, the agency’s strongest safety alert, about the tendon problems. Symptoms of tendon ruptures include pain or swelling in the tendon area, a pop in the tendon area and inability to move the affected area.