Noroxin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic medication, may increase the risk of nerve damage, tendon ruptures, aortic aneurysms, and other severe side effects.
Need a Texas Noroxin Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with nerve damage or an aneurysm, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What is Noroxin?
Noroxin (norfloxacin), manufactured by Merck & Co., is a prescription antibiotic medication that has been on the market since 1986. It belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones.
What Does Noroxin Treat?
Noroxin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that treats a variety of bacterial infections, such as:
- Prostatitis (prostate infection) due to E. coli
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI), including cystitis
- Some sexually transmitted diseases (urethral and cervical gonorrhea)
- Travelers diarrhea
Noroxin and Aortic Aneurysms
Noroxin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Like all drugs in this class, it has been linked to side effects involving connective tissue, such as tendonitis and retinal detachments. Noroxin may also damage connective tissue in the aorta and increase the risk of an aortic aneurysm.
Two recent studies have found evidence of this risk. In November 2015, fluoroquinolone antibiotics were linked to a tripled increased risk of aortic aneurysms in a study involving 650,000 adults, including 1.1% who had an aortic aneurysm. Another study published by researchers in Taiwan found a 2.4-fold increased risk of aortic aneurysms within 60 days of taking a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
What is an Aortic Aneurysm?
Aortic aneurysms occur when a weak spot in the wall of the aorta allows it to bulge outward. It can grow for many years without causing symptoms, often as a complication of high blood pressure. Over time, the aorta can “balloon” outward and rupture suddenly, causing massive internal bleeding. Without emergency surgery, aneurysms can rapidly cause organ damage or death.
Black Box Warning: Tendon Injuries
The Prescribing Information for Noroxin contains a Black Box Warning — the strongest warning the FDA can require — about the risk of tendon injuries. These injuries can occur at any time during treatment and are most common in adults over 60 years old. Other risk-factors include corticosteroid drugs and patients who have received a heart, lung, or kidney transplant.
Noroxin and Nerve Damage
Peripheral neuropathy is a severe type of nerve damage that was added to the label on Noroxin in 2004. Unfortunately, these warnings were not strong enough. The FDA continued to receive reports of patients who did not stop taking Noroxin after they developed nerve damage. In 2013, the FDA strengthened warnings about the risk.
Since then, studies have confirmed that nerve damage from Noroxin can occur rapidly (within 24 hours) and cause permanent disability. Noroxin was associated with a doubled increased risk of peripheral neuropathy in a study published in Neurology in August 2014.
Symptoms of Neuropathy
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include numbness, tingling, pain, burning in the arms or legs, or a change in your ability to sense textures or temperatures. These symptoms can appear within hours or days after your first dose. Unfortunately, they may be permanent.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of Noroxin include dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, headache, stomach (abdominal) cramping, weakness, and changes in certain liver function tests.
Other Serious Side Effects
- Central Nervous System (CNS) effects
- Seizures
- Feeling lightheaded
- Hearing voices, hallucinating, paranoia
- Allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat)
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Skin rash
- Intestine infection
- Changes in sensation and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- And more
Need a Noroxin Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Noroxin lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
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