Fluoroquinolone antibiotic risks generally outweigh the antibiotics’ benefits for patients with uncomplicated infections like sinusitis, urinary tract infections, and bronchitis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a safety review. For patients with these conditions, the agency states that fluoroquinolones should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options. Affected patients may be eligible to seek compensation with the assistance of bad drug attorneys.
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FDA Notes Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Risks Include Hallucinations and Confusion
According to pharmacytimes.com, after a drug safety review the FDA determined that systemic use of fluoroquinolones is associated with disabling and potentially permanent serious side effects that can occur together. These side effects can involve the muscles, tendons, joints, nerves, and central nervous system. The safety announcement comes after the FDA convened an advisory committee in 2015 to review the risks and benefits associated with fluoroquinolones. Labels and medication guides for all fluoroquinolones will be updated to reflect the FDA’s findings.
Current available FDA-approved fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs include:
- Avelox
- Cipro
- Cipro extended-release
- Factive
- Levaquin
- Moxifloxacin Injection
- Ofloxacin
Unlike general antibiotics, fluoroquinolones are extremely powerful and are designed to treat serious infections, such as respiratory tract infections and hospital-induced pneumonia. A fluoroquinolone like Levaquin for example, is used to treat bacterial infections of the prostate, bladder, kidneys, sinuses and skin. In some cases, it is also used to treat the infections that cause bronchitis, and to treat those who are exposed to plague or anthrax.
Fluoroquinolones are only supposed to be used when first-line antibiotics, such as penicillin, prove to be ineffective. This class of antibiotics can also be used in cases where a life-threatening infection exists or in situations where the infection responds best to a fluoroquinolone. However, instead of trying out a less powerful antibiotic for common bacterial diseases, like urinary tract, sinus and ear infections, many doctors now prescribe a fluoroquinolone, like Levaquin, first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that over half of all prescriptions written in the U.S. for antibiotics are inappropriate.
In the May 2016 safety announcement, the FDA has asked all health care professionals to stop systemic fluoroquinolone treatment immediately if a patient reports serious side effects including confusion and hallucinations. It advised that only patients with conditions that can’t be treated with other agents should receive a fluoroquinolone.
How a Bad Drugs Attorney Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
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