O'Connor Law

Production of the antibiotic Tequin, approved in 1999 to treat lung, sinus, and certain sexually transmitted diseases, was halted in 2006 after years of questionable research exerted forcible pressure on the drug’s manufacturer.

Health Canada published an article detailing a 2003 study of over 15,000 patients using Tequin. The report documented that patients taking Tequin were four times more likely to develop low blood-sugar and 17 times more likely to develop high blood-sugar than those on other antibiotics. Another report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicated that people over age 65 taking Tequin were four times more likely to be hospitalized for low blood sugar compared with seniors taking other antibiotics. In addition to blood sugar disorder risks, Tequin has been associated with serious adverse side effects, including severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions, dangerous diarrhea, cardiovascular complications, and central nervous system side effects such as seizures and psychosis.

In 2006, the Public Citizen Group filed a petition with the FDA demanding a Tequin recall. The petition cited 388 patients with blood-sugar irregularities associated with the drug, including 20 deaths and 159 hospitalizations since January 2000. According to Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, “This drug carries unique risk but has no unique benefits and therefore should not be on the market.”

Later that year, the FDA released a comprehensive report documenting these blood-sugar disorder risks. After the release of this report, the manufacturer announced labeling changes to update prescription information and include a warning on the product. However, the manufacture experienced continued pressure from government groups and concerned citizens, and has recently stopped production of Tequin.

If you have experienced blood-sugar disorders or other serious side effects as a result of taking Tequin, you may be entitled to compensation for your struggles and should contact a legal professional to analyze your case.

For more information, contact the Law Offices of Michael J. O'Connor & Associates at 800-518-4529 or visit our website to fill out one of the contact forms (www.oconnorlaw.com). The initial consultation is free and the firm works on a contngency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.