In two thirds of cases, the prescription of this treatment does not comply with the recommendations. Here are the symptoms that should prompt you to consult quickly.
It’s a medicine “very effective”confirms the Medicines Agency. On the other hand, what poses a problem is its risk of serious, sometimes disabling and irreversible side effects.. This is not the first time that the agency has sounded the alarm about this danger, but requirements outside the regulatory framework are still observed. Although it is used less than a few years ago, it has still been delivered to nearly 2 million people according to the latest figures from the Medicines Agency and, in two thirds of cases, outside the recommendations. What risks? What symptoms should alert you?
This medication may cause several serious side effects such as tendinopathy, cardiac and vascular disorders (aneurysm, aortic dissection), peripheral neuropathies (burning sensations, tingling, tingling, pain or numbness, particularly in the hands or feet), neuropsychiatric disorders (disorders of vision, taste, smell and hearing), dizziness, falls, depression, speech disorders. memory, insomnia) or photosensitization. These effects can occur within the first 48 hours of taking it or in the days that follow.
Risky treatment: fluoroquinolones. These are antibiotics sold under the names Ciprofloxacin (Ciflox®, and generics), Levofloxacin (Tavanic® and generics), Ofloxacin (Oflocet®, Monoflocet®, generics), Norfloxacin (generics), Moxifloxacin (Izilox® and generics), Delafloxacin (Quofenix®). You may have already taken one of these medications to treat cystitis, prostatitis, otitis or even bronchitis, but these indications are not validated by the health authorities and expose you to the risks listed above.
Symptoms that should alert
“Their seriousness (of adverse effects, Editor’s note) requires clear information to the patient on the relevance of the prescription and the immediate interruption of treatment in the event of suggestive symptoms” explains the ANSM. If any of the following symptoms occur after taking a fluoroquinolone, contact your doctor promptly:
- Painful swelling of tendons or joints
- Unusual pain and/or weakness in the arms or legs
- Palpitations or feelings of irregular or fast heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing, swelling of the legs
- Decreased vision or appearance of any other eye disorder
- Redness, irritation or itching of the skin, particularly following exposure to the sun or artificial UV radiation (tanning lamp, solarium)
The appearance of sudden and intense abdominal, chest or back pain requires you to go immediately to a hospital emergency department.
The Medicines Agency calls on doctors to “essential respect” prescription conditions. Concretely, fluoroquinolones should only be prescribed when they represent the best therapeutic choice, when other antibiotics are ineffective or contraindicated. They should be avoided in situations where other antibiotics may be used or to treat non-severe or self-limiting infections. These restrictions have been in force since 2019. They result from the re-evaluation of potentially serious adverse effects of fluoroquinolones carried out at European level.
