FDA required drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs to describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy. The painful nerve damage can be temporary or last for years.
Fluoroquinolone drugs include: levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), and gemifloxacin (Factive). The risk is only if the drugs are taken by mouth or injection. Topical use is a risk.
Symptoms include pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, or a change in sensation to light touch, pain or temperature, or the sense of body position. It can occur at any time during treatment with fluoroquinolones and can last for months to years after the drug is stopped or be permanent.
Approximately 23.1 million unique patients received a dispensed prescription for an oral fluoroquinolone product from outpatient retail pharmacies during 2011.
-MedShadow Staff
