Potential class-action lawsuit from side-effects of antibiotic used to treat bacterial infection

Australians who have suffered severe and life-changing side effects from certain antibiotics are being urged to come forward as a potential class action begins. Does it affect you?

Australians who have suffered severe and life-changing side effects after taking certain antibiotics are being urged to come forward as an investigation into a potential class action begins.

Sydney firm Law Partners Personal Injury Lawyers is looking into claims that fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and moxifloxacin have caused disabling, long-lasting and potentially irreversible adverse reactions, including peripheral nerve damage, central nervous system effects, tendon rupture or damage and aortic aneurysm or dissection.

Ciprofloxacin, often referred to as ‘Cipro’ is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, which are strong prescription antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, including

respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Law Partners Associate Tasahra Christian, who is overseeing the investigation, said the Sydney firm is currently in the process of determining whether there was insufficient warning about the possibility of serious side effects in the product information leaflets and on the packaging of the antibiotics.

Once this process is complete, the firm will look at the manufacturers involved.

Lawyer Tasahra Christian is overseeing the investigation. Picture: Supplied

“If anyone has suffered an adverse reaction to ciprofloxacin or another fluoroquinolone antibiotic has caused anyone to suffer injury, they may be eligible to join the potential class action,” Ms Christian said.

“We want to help those who have been injured get the compensation they deserve. We urge anyone who has experienced severe complications after taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics to get in touch with us.”

Canberra mum-of-three Rebecca Goldfinch was prescribed ciprofloxacin in 2013 at the age of 33, after being diagnosed with an ear infection.

A day later, she was admitted to hospital, suffering from severe burning pain in her legs and rubbery, weak tendons.

After leaving hospital, Ms Goldfinch struggled to walk for six months and needed a walking stick.

Rebecca Goldfinch suffered terrible side effects after taking antibiotics. Picture: Supplied.

“Walking caused intense pain – I had to relearn how to walk because it just hurt so much,”

she said.

Ms Goldfinch’s ongoing health issues have included weakness in her muscles and tendons, spinal problems, headaches and balance issues.

“I don’t have any strength and I have to be really gentle doing anything physical so I don’t injure myself,” she said.

“And I have to manage the constant pain.

“It has caused me stress and anxiety but I do try to stay positive – being angry is a waste of energy.

“What I would like to see is increased education and awareness around this drug because it seems doctors are not very familiar with it, and nobody knows what my prognosis is.”

In the US, there has already been successful individual and multidistrict litigation against manufacturers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

A spokesman for the Therapeutic Goods Administration said: “The TGA approves and regulates therapeutic products based on an assessment of risks against benefits.

“All medicines, including fluoroquinolone antibiotics, carry potential risks. Most of these are minor, but sometimes, in rare circumstances, they can be potentially serious.

“The TGA applies scientific and clinical expertise to its decision-making to ensure that the benefits of a product outweigh any risk.”

Originally published as Potential class-action lawsuit from side-effects of antibiotic used to treat bacterial infection