Avelox FAQ

What is Avelox?

Avelox (generic: moxifloxacin) belongs to a class of antibiotic medications called fluoroquinolones that are used to a variety of bacterial infections. The drug works by stopping the growth of bacteria. Avelox is manufactured by Merck, and was approved by the FDA in December 1999.

What Do Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Treat?

Some of the illnesses fluoroquinolones like Avelox are used to treat include:

Bronchitis
Sinusitis
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Skin infections
Gastroenteritis
Joint and bone infections
Pneumonia
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Typhoid fever

What’s the Problem?

Unfortunately, fluoroquinolone antibiotics have been linked to a large number of serious side effects including nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. Patients who suffered these injuries after taking Avelox may be entitled to compensation through the filing of a lawsuit and our lawyers can help.

Which Side Effects Has Avelox Been Linked To?

Peripheral neuropathy
Aortic aneurism
Aortic dissection
Collagen disorders
Muscle weakness
Tendon ruptures
Retinal detachment
Central nervous system (CNS) disorders
Cardiovascular collapse
Life-threatening skin reactions
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea
And more

What are Aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Dissection?

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the human body, which carries oxygen-rich (red) blood from the heart to all the organs except the lungs. Damage to the aorta can lead to a number of life-threatening health problems including heart attack, stroke and organ failure.

The 2 types of aorta damage linked to fluoroquinolone antibiotics are: aortic dissection (tears) and aortic aneurysm (rupture). These conditions are on the rise nationwide, and about 15,000 people in the U.S. die each year from aneurysms alone.

How Can Avelox Cause Aortic Aneurysm / Aortic Dissection?

Studies have found that fluoroquinolones can break down collagen in the body. Collagen is found in the tendons and also makes up the lining of the aorta. Two recent studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine and the British Medical Journal (BMJ) have found a link between these powerful antibiotics and collagen damage which may lead to aortic dissections and/or aortic aneurysms.

Are Fluoroquinolones Overused?

Some experts say that fluoroquinolone antibiotics are overprescribed for minor conditions like earaches and sinusitis. Dr. Mahyar Etminan, an epidemiologist at the University of British Columbia, told The New York Times that overusing fluoroquinolones is like “trying to kill a fly with an automatic weapon.”

In 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about over-prescribing fluoroquinolones and said that current warnings weren’t clear enough. Specifically, FDA said “the potential rapid onset and risk of permanence were not adequately described,” and the “permanent damage among patients exposed to these medications cannot be calculated.”

Has a Class Action Been Filed?

To date, no class action lawsuit has been filed over injuries allegedly caused by Avelox. However, our lawyers are accepting potential individual claims on behalf of people who were injured by the drug. If we determine that you have a legitimate complaint, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Is There a Time Limit to File a Claim?

The statute of limitations (SOL) on Avelox lawsuits is state-dependant, but most states have a discovery-based statute. This means that the statute begins to run when you first find out that your injury was caused by the drug.

Have There Been Any Settlements?

To our knowledge, no significant settlements have been reached in the Avelox litigation. However, the more lawsuits that are filed over the drug, the more likely it is that the manufacturer will offer to settle some or all of the cases. Use the contact form at the bottom of this page to learn more about your legal rights.