Earlier this week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has ordered manufacturers of fluoroquinolones – including the antibiotics Cipro, Levaquin and other medications – to add a black box warning to their prescribing information.
According to the FDA, people taking a fluoroquinolone antibiotic have an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, a serious injury that could cause permanent disability.
To decrease your risk of a tendon rupture, you should stop taking fluoroquinolone if you have any tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation; avoid exercise and use of the affected area; and, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor may recommend switching you to a different type of antibiotic.
The FDA warning includes the following fluoroquinolone antibiotics:
- Ciprofloxacin (marketed as Cipro and generic ciprofloxacin)
- Ciprofloxacin extended release (marketed as Cipro XR and Proquin XR)
- Gemifloxacin (marketed as Factive)
- Levofloxacin (marketed as Levaquin)
- Moxifloxacin (marketed as Avelox)
- Norfloxacin (marketed as Noroxin)
- Ofloxacin (marketed as Floxin and generic ofloxacin)
I had several mysterious tendon ruptures in my hand 4 years ago and several times since then. I have had Cipro and other antibiotics often although I can’t pinpoint when just yet. The tendon ruptures have altered my life profoundly because I am an artist and use my right hand. Now my right wrist seems to be damaged as well.
Notice that many news reports that reproduce the FDA warning failed to mention that Cipro can also cause chronic depression. They also leave out the other psychological effects that can become permanent. They’re in the product info, just like the warning about tendons. By the way, the FDA hasn’t released statistics on how many people got tendon tears, didn’t heal and are in chronic pain. Read between the lines. The quinolones are really bad medicines for those who become poisoned by them.
Thank you, Dr. Mike, for this very informative article!
Thank you for this valuable information. I assist patients with diabetes, many of whom have severe kidney impairment (which seems to be associated with increased problems). I am passing this information along to my clients!
Noroxin is evil №1!