Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Even More Dangerous Than Previously Thought

Today's short post from webmd.com (see link below) reinforces a message often covered here on the blog and that is that the antibiotics covered by the type name, fluoroquinolones, are even more dangerous than we already knew. This especially applies to people living with nerve damage! As has been said here many times before: if your doctor prescribes fluoroquinolones (see the brand names below) for you, ask him or her if they could possibly prescribe an alternative (there are several available), to avoid the risk of worsening existing neuropathy problems, or prevent any in the future. The FDA has increased their demand for severe warnings on packaging - it's time that doctors followed their advice and stopped giving in to persuasive pharmaceutical reps. Many more posts on the same subject can be found here on the blog - just type in fluoroquinolones in the Search box.

FDA Adds Stronger Warnings to Fluoroquinolones
By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, July 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- 

A powerful class of antibiotics will now come with stronger safety warnings about dangerous drops in blood sugar and neurological side effects that can include delirium and memory problems, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

Called fluoroquinolones, these drugs include levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ciprofloxacin extended-release tablets, moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin, gemifloxacin (Factive) and delafloxacin (Baxdela). There are more than 60 generic versions of fluoroquinolones.

"The use of fluoroquinolones has a place in the treatment of serious bacterial infections -- such as certain types of bacterial pneumonia -- where the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks," Dr. Edward Cox, director of the FDA's Office of Antimicrobial Products, said in an agency news release.


What kinds of infections should not be treated with these antibiotics?
According to the agency, the risks generally outweigh the benefits of fluoroquinolone treatment for patients with acute sinusitis, acute or chronic bronchitis and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

Fluoroquinolones already carried warnings about a number of neurological side effects, but those warnings differed by drug.

Fluoroquinolone labels must now list the blood sugar warning and all potential neurological side effects associated with this class of antibiotics -- such as attention problems, disorientation, agitation, nervousness, memory impairment and delirium.

The FDA said the decision to require stronger safety warnings came after a review of reports of side effects it had received, as well as case reports published in medical journals.
Fluoroquinolones also carry warnings about disabling and potentially permanent side effects involving tendons, muscles, joints, nerves and the central nervous system.

WebMD News from HealthDay

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20180711/fda-adds-stronger-warnings-to-fluoroquinolones