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Cipro Lawyers

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The lawyers and attorneys at our firm are offering free consultations to individuals who experienced tendon ruptures and tendonitis after treatment with the antibiotic Cipro.   If you or a loved one suffered a tendon injury as a result of this antibiotic, we urge you contact one of our Cipro injury lawyers right away.

Cipro is a member of the fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics, prescribed to treat bacterial infections of the abdomen, bones, urinary tract skin and lower respiratory system. Health officials prescribe Cipro to combat bronchial infections, typhoid fever, prostate gland infections and tuberculosis.  Cipro gained notoriety in 2001, when it was used to treat victims of the anthrax attacks.
 

Cipro and Tendon Ruptures

Since its approval, our Cipro injury lawyers have heard from many individuals who suffered serious tendon injuries - including ruptures - as a result of treatment with Cipro.  On Nov 8, 2003 a study conducted in Germany on lab rats showed that the rats' Achilles tendons suffered "degenerative alterations" shortly after being given Cipro. In the study, ruptures continued to occur even after the rats stopped taking Cipro.
 

In January 2008, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a lawsuit against the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in an attempt to compel the agency to act on a petition filed it filed 16 months prior  requesting that new warnings be added about side effects of Cipro and other antibiotics, which could increase the risk of tendonitis and tendon ruptures.  At the time of the filing, Public Citizen said the FDA had received reports of at least 336 individuals who experienced a tendon rupture after using Cipro, one of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The most common tendon rupture involved the Achilles tendon. .
 

Finally in July 2008, the FDA directed the maker of Cipro to add a black box warning to the drug's label about is association with tendon damage.   The FDA said that Cipro and other fluoroquinolones had been associated with tendonitis and tendon ruptures. The risk is greatest for those over age 60, those on concomitant steroid therapy, and  kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients.
 

The FDA warned that Cipro treatment should be stopped if a patient experiences pain or inflammation in a tendon (symptoms that may precede rupture of the tendon), or tendon rupture. Health care professionals were told to advise patients, at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation, to stop taking Cipro, to avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and to promptly contact their healthcare provider about changing their medication.
 

Cipro and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

 Our Cipro injury lawyers are also offering free consultation to anyone who developed Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) following therapy with Cipro. In May 2005, a warning was added to the label of Cipro regarding its association to TEN.  TEN - also called Lyle's Syndrome - is a life-threatening skin condition that is frequently induced by a reaction to medications.
 

TEN affects many parts of the body, but it most severely affects the mucous membranes, such as the mouth and eyes.  These severe symptoms are often preceded by 1 to 2 weeks of fever, and many victims at first believe they are suffering from a common upper respiratory tract infection.
 

When the rash appears it may be over large and varied parts of the body, and it is usually warm and appears red. In hours, the skin becomes painful and the epidermis can be easily peeled away from the underlying dermis. The mouth becomes blistered and eroded, making eating difficult and sometimes necessitating feeding via a tube through the nose or stomach. The eyes are affected, becoming swollen, crusted, and ulcerated.
 

TEN is often fatal. Patients with the disorder should be hospitalized and highly specialized nursing care given, often in an intensive care unit. In some situations patients may be treated in a burn unit.
 

Legal Help for Victims of Cipro Injuries

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury, such as a tendon rupture or TEN, you have valuable legal rights.  Please fill out our online form or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak with an experienced Cipro injury lawyer about your case.