Ciprofloxacin, a powerful antibiotic used to treat a variety of ailments, has been linked to serious side effects, including increased risk of tendon damage and tendon rupture. The lawyers of Carey & Danis are offering free consultations to people nationwide who have suffered serious complications after taking this antibiotic.

Ciprofloxacin is the generic name of a drug, made by Bayer AG, that is sold under the brand names Cipro, Ciproxin, Ciprobay, and Cipro XR. It is part of a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat bacterial infections of the bladder, kidney, prostate gland, cervix, stomach, intestine, lung, sinus, bone, and skin and as a preventive measure after exposure to anthrax.

On Aug. 29, 2006, the consumer group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA, asking the agency to require the addition of a black-box warning to ciprofloxacin's label. Analysis of the FDA's database of adverse events by researchers at Public Citizen revealed 262 cases of tendon rupture among patients who were given fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Levofloxacin (brand name Levaquin) was associated with 61 percent of the ruptures and ciprofloxacin with 23 percent.

The FDA currently warns that the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is increased in patients older than 65, especially those who are also taking corticosteroids.

Anyone who has been given ciprofloxacin and experiences pain, swelling or inflammation in the area of a tendon should stop taking the drug and contact his or her physician. Patients who experience a snapping or popping sensation in the area of a tendon, note bruising right after an injury in the area of a tendon or are unable to move or bear weight after taking the drug should also contact a doctor immediately.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious complication after taking ciprofloxacin, contact the attorneys of Carey & Danis. We can help. Carey & Danis is a national law firm that represents individuals injured by America's largest corporations.

At Carey & Danis, even though our lawyers have recovered more than $695 million for our clients, including individual settlements of over $10 million and class-wide settlements of more than $90 million, we count our clients as our most important asset.