What is Cipro?

Cipro  (Ciprofloxacin) is a powerful antibiotic, which is part of a class of drugs known as fluroquinolones.  This antibiotic, manufactured in the United States by Bayer, is often prescribed to treat various bacterial infects, including urinary tract infections, cystitis, respiratory tract infectioins, sinusitis, skin infections, bone and joint infections, and infectious diarrhea.  It is also sometimes prescribed for non-approved “off-label” uses.  Cipro has been on the market since 1987 and has been prescribed to millions of people. Due to the manufacturers’ failure to warn of hidden side effects associated with Cipro over the past twenty two years, there are now millions of people suffering from severe tendon injuries. The attorneys of Slater, Rosenberger & Schulman refuse to let you suffer without representation.

The Cipro Connection

Although this dangerous medication has managed to stay on the market for over two decades, the manufacturers of Cipro failed to warn individuals that the drug is directly linked to serious and devastating side effects.

Tendon rupture can occur during or after the completion of just one course of Cipro, and it commonly causes injuries to tendons throughout the body. The most common of these injuries occur in the foot, leg, arm, forearm, shoulder and neck. The manufacturers knew of these dangers but did nothing to warn patients.

Too Little, Too Late

Notwithstanding efforts by many consumer activist groups to get the manufacturers of Cipro and the other antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone class to warn of the serious tendon injuries associated with the medication side effects, the drug companies resisted changing the warning label. After failing to get the manufacturer to act on its own initiative, the groups petitioned the U.S.Food and Drug Administration to independently examine the side effects of these drugs.

In 2008, the FDA did what the manufacturer refused to do itself: it required a “black box” warning to be placed on Cipro. This warning now clearly advises patients of the potential for severe tendon injuries. The “black box” warning is the most serious alert that can be issued by the FDA without taking the drug completely off the market. Unfortunately, this action by the FDA has occurred too late for many patients who have already suffered devastating injuries.

Many patients have needlessly suffered horrible consequences by taking Cipro without being informed of its risks. There are multiple safe and effective alternatives to Cipro that doctors and patients could have chosen had they been aware that the risk of debilitating injury was so great.

How can SRS Law Firm help?

If you believe that you or someone you love may have suffered a tendon injury or any other injury due to taking Cipro, the attorneys at The Law Offices of Slater, Slater, Rosenberger & Schulman, P.C. are here to help. Please call us at 1-800-251-6990 or fill out the form on this page and someone from our office will contact you to discuss your case. The consultation is free of charge.