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Fluoroquinolones And Peripheral neuropathy

       

           Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics that are commonly used to treat a variety of illnesses such as respiratory and urinary tract infections. These medicines include; ciprofloxacin(Ciprotab®),gemifloxacin(Factive®), levofloxacin(Levaquin®) ,moxifloxacin(Avelox®),norfloxacin(Noroxin®), and ofloxacin(Floxin®)
US FDA recently issued a warning that fluoroquinolone antibiotics, taken by mouth or injection, carry arisk for permanent peripheral neuropathy; Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and Levaquin (levofloxacin) are examplesThis is not the first warning issued for this claTwo other recent studies found that fluoroquinolones increase your risk for acute liver toxicity (if you’re over age 66), and destabilize your blood sugar if you’re diabetic.  

             Fluoroquinolones have also been associated with memory loss, psychosis, headaches, depression, anxiety, kidney failure, cardiovascular symptoms, nausea and vomiting, blindness and other health problems. Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics with an attached fluoride molecule,which gives them the ability to penetrate into sensitive tissues like your brain and central nervous system, where they can exert neurotoxic effects.

        Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves that send information to and from the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Damage interrupts this connection, and the symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. In general, the symptoms are in the arms and legs and include numbness, tingling, burning, or shooting pain.
Nerve Damage Risk: What You Need to Know
     *Peripheral neuropathy symptoms typically begin rapidly, within a few days of starting the fluoroquinolones.
*.Nerve damage symptoms may last for months or even be permanent, despite stopping the drug.
*.The risk for peripheral neuropathy appears to affect only those who take fluoroquinolones by mouth or by injection. Fluoroquinolones used in the eyes or ears are not linked to the risk.

*.Contact your doctor immediately if you develop numbness, tingling,weakness, burning, shooting pains, or other symptoms while taking a fluoroquinolone.

*.Your doctor may tell you to stop taking the medication and prescribe a different type of drug, unless the benefits of fluoroquinolones outweigh the risks. Never stop taking any medication before first talking to your doctor.

Written By Pharm Edidiong Orok (B.Pharm)

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