Client: Burke, Harvey & Frankowski Law Firm
Copyright 2008 Burke, Harvey and Frankowski
Antibiotic Cases Ketek and Levoquin
Birmingham, Alabama
Antibiotics which pose a threat to consumers' health and well-being are unfortunately not that uncommon these days. An antibiotic is considered defective when the side effects and potential risks outweigh its potential benefits. These antibiotics often still make it onto the market due to manufacturers who down play the possible side effects in order to obtain FDA approval. At Burke, Harvey and Frankowski law firm in Birmingham, Alabama, we are committed to fighting for the rights of our clients who have been injured by these dangerous prescription drugs.
Two antibiotics that are under current scrutiny and involved in major lawsuits are Ketek and Levoquin.
Ketek
Ketek is prescribed for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, throat and sinus infections. It is also used for other infections that are resistant to typically prescribed antibiotics. Ketek was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 2004 for treatment of adults eighteen and older who suffer from bacterial infections in the lungs and sinuses.
Common side effects associated with the use of Ketek are:
� Headache
� Dizziness
� Nausea
� Vomiting
� Diarrhea
Vision problems may occur when quickly looking from one object to another at either close range or far away. Some patients may also have vision problems that interfere with normal daily activity.
Ketek has been linked to liver failure in several cases, some of which resulted in death. It has also been associated with progressive liver damage that began after only a few doses of the drug. Two years after Ketek was approved for marketing, the FDA recommended that a "black box" warning be placed on the Ketek label stating that liver toxicity causing life threatening or fatal results may occur as a result of its use.
The battle as to whether its dangers outweigh it benefits wages on. Meanwhile, Ketek is still on the market and is under congressional scrutiny as to whether or not it should remain there.
Levoquin
Levoquin is an antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone family prescribed for gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary tract infections. The drug has been associated with such side effects as tendonitis, tendon injury and tendon rupture, which often involves the Achilles tendon. It is the subject of a petition filed by Public Citizen in 2006, requesting that stronger warnings of tendon rupture and other tendon side effects be placed on Levoquin bottles.
Presently, any warning relating to tendon problems are at the bottom of the list of possible side effects. The petition is now part of a federal lawsuit asking the court to require the FDA to take action against manufacturers of Levoquin and other similar products.
Consumer Action
A person injured by a defect in a product, including hidden defects, does not have to prove negligence on the part of the manufacturer to receive financial compensation. Injured persons may be able to file a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit against those responsible.
If you, or someone you know, has been injured by the dangerous side effects of defective antibiotics such as Ketek and Levoquin, you are entitled to compensation and should contact Burke, Harvey and Frankowski in Birmingham, Alabama today.