Levaquin (levofloxacin) is a member of the quinolone family of antibiotics (the same as Cipro) and is prescribed to treat bacterial infections affecting the lungs, urinary tract, and skin. Levaquin is available by prescription only and is manufactured by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals. Levaquin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. It has been linked to peripheral neuropathy, a disorder that causes damage to the peripheral nervous system.
Levaquin has also been linked to tendon ruptures, most commonly those to the Achilles and the shoulder. Additional side effects of Levaquin include abdominal or stomach pain, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, change in sense of taste, severe joint and muscle pain, constipation, insomnia, anxiety, upset stomach, restlessness, diarrhea, headache, and vomiting.
