Side Effect of Antibiotics

Bruces SIL suffered from this. Actually she is still suffering and it's been over a year now, but she is finally getting better. She was not even capable of hugging her son for over a month. She had to go on a strict diet and she lost tons of weight (when she didn't have much to lose in the first place). And she is not yet 40 years old (or maybe she just turned 40 last June). But this is something I think everyone should know about. Having witnessed someone suffer from this I wanted to share it with the PT community. If you know the signs you can get treatment for it quickly. She went to several doctors before she found one that could help her.

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TENDON RUPTURE, A LITTLE-KNOWN SIDE EFFECT OF ANTIBIOTICS

Here's one more for the long list of tales about how the drugs we take
to heal us can end up causing harm: The FDA has announced that it will now
require a "boxed warning" (its strongest warning on a label) about the
risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture associated with use of fluoroquinolone
antibiotics -- such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) -- along with mandated
distribution of a newly detailed medication guide to be dispensed by
pharmacies with the drug.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro and Proquin XR),
gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin) are commonly prescribed for upper
respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
FDA-approved labeling for these drugs mention the risk of tendonitis,
but clearly public awareness is not widespread as the FDA continues to
receive reports of tendon-related adverse events related to them. The FDA has received more than 400 reports of tendon rupture plus more than 1,200 of
tendon problems, and, it's possible this represents only the tip of the
iceberg since it's suspected that just a small fraction of cases are
reported to the FDA.

I spoke with Sidney Wolfe, MD, director of The Health Research Group at
Public Citizen, an advocacy group based in Washington, DC, which has
been pushing the FDA on this point since 2006. In his view, these
requirements are better than none, but far from complete. "This accomplishes two of the three steps we've urged," he said. "We've also requested that the FDA require drug companies to send a warning letter to physicians, clearly
describing possible adverse reactions, such as tendon pain, so patients
can be switched to alternative treatments before tendons rupture." Many
doctors remain unaware of drug warnings like these until they receive such
letters, Dr. Wolfe said. He advises consumers to be aware of the risks and
attentive to early signs of trouble in order to protect themselves from serious
repercussions.

WHO'S AT RISK?

Although anyone who takes fluoroquinolone drugs is at risk, the
likelihood of having tendon problems is higher if you are over 60, taking steroids (corticosteroids) , or are a kidney, heart or lung transplant recipient.
Symptoms of tendonitis include pain, swelling, inflammation and tearing,
all found most commonly in the Achilles tendon, shoulder or hand.
Ruptures can occur without warning (some patients report feeling a "snap" or
"pop" soon after starting treatment), but more typically patients feel pain or
inflammation for days or weeks before the tendon actually ruptures.
Another symptom is easy bruising right after an injury in a tendon area. These
problems can occur during or after taking fluoroquinolones -- even
months later, according to the FDA.

If you develop tenderness or other such problems, avoid exercising or
overuse of the area. Any such symptoms should be immediately reported to
your doctor in conjunction with your request to be switched to another
antibiotic of a different class. Most serious problems may be avoided if
you pay attention to the first signs of trouble.

Source(s):

Sidney Wolfe, MD, Director of The Health Research Group at Public
Citizen and editor of www.worstpills. org, in Washington, DC.