The US Food and Drug Administration is warning the public that a popular call of antibiotics may cause sudden serious and potentially permanent nerve damage. Known as fluoroquinolones, these antibiotics are commonly used to treat a variety of illnesses. They are commonly prescribed for respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. In 2011, more than 23 million patients were prescribed one of these medications.
The FDA's safety announcement states, "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy. This serious nerve damage potentially caused by fluoroquinolones may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may be permanent."
Fluoroquinolones have the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. They are quinolones with fluoride molecules attached. Their ability to penetrate sensitive tissues is what allows them to get into the brain and damage the central nervous system. In 2010, Levaquin was the best-selling antibiotic in the United States. By 2011, it was the subject of more then 2,000 lawsuits from patients who had suffered severe reactions after taking it.
Fluoroquinolones include:
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Gemifloxacin (Factive)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
- Ofloxacin (Floxin)
The FDA's safety announcement states, "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy. This serious nerve damage potentially caused by fluoroquinolones may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may be permanent."
Peripheral Neuropathy
This class of antibiotics work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that can cause illness. While this might sound like a good thing, doctors are now saying that the risks outweigh the benefits, considering the reports of peripheral neuropathy in association with taking this medication. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves that send information to and from the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body become damaged. The damage interrupts the connection. A person with peripheral neuropathy may experience numbness, tingling, burning or shooting pain in the arms and legs. There have been several reports of long-lasting nerve damage in patients who took this medication, leading to disability.
Fluoroquinolones have the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. They are quinolones with fluoride molecules attached. Their ability to penetrate sensitive tissues is what allows them to get into the brain and damage the central nervous system. In 2010, Levaquin was the best-selling antibiotic in the United States. By 2011, it was the subject of more then 2,000 lawsuits from patients who had suffered severe reactions after taking it.
Symptoms And Side Effects
Symptoms of fluoroquinolones usually begin rapidly, within a few days of taking them. If you're taking one of these antibiotics and you begin to experience symptoms, contact your health care professional immediately. The damage can last for months or even become permanent. Dangerous symptoms and side effects cause by fluoroquines include:- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Burning
- Shooting pains
- Tendon damage and rupture
- Joint and muscle pain
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
