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Peripheral neuropathy associated with fluoroquinolones

J S Cohen1

  • 1Departments of Family and Preventive Medicine, and Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. jacohen@ucsd.edu

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|January 17, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics may cause severe, long-term peripheral nervous system (PNS) symptoms. Patients reporting events online experienced prolonged and severe adverse effects, warranting immediate discontinuation of these drugs if PNS symptoms arise.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are widely prescribed for bacterial infections.
  • Peripheral nervous system (PNS) adverse events have been reported with fluoroquinolone use.
  • Previous reports suggested mild and short-term PNS events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate fluoroquinolone-associated adverse events with peripheral nervous system (PNS) symptoms.
  • To analyze cases reported on Internet websites.

Main Methods:

  • Collected cases from patient-driven websites.
  • Utilized MedWatch standards for information gathering.
  • Assessed case causality using the Naranjo probability scale.

Main Results:

  • 36 out of 45 cases reported severe, multi-system events.
  • Symptoms persisted beyond three months in 71% and one year in 58% of cases.
  • Adverse events often had rapid onset, with 84% occurring within one week of treatment initiation.

Conclusions:

  • Fluoroquinolone use may be associated with severe, long-term PNS and other organ system adverse effects.
  • Internet forums may capture patient experiences not typically reported to regulatory agencies.
  • Prompt discontinuation of fluoroquinolones is recommended upon the emergence of PNS symptoms.

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