Do not use Fluoroquinolones

Do not use Fluoroquinolones The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said in an advisory that unless they lack other treatment options, patients with uncomplicated infections should not receive fluoroquinolones, given the risk for disabling and potentially permanent adverse events like tendonitis, tendon rupture, central nervous system effects, peripheral neuropathy, myasthenia gravis exacerbation, QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, phototoxicity, and hypersensitivity. These adverse events can occur together. These serious risks posed by fluoroquinolones generally outweigh their benefits for patients with sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections that are treatable by other means. The FDA advisory stated “The US Food and Drug Administration is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options. For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolone should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.” There are five fluoroquinolones for systemic use on the market: Moxifloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Gemifloxacin, Levofloxacin and Ofloxacin. These are also anti-TB drugs and if misused can cause drug-resistant TB.