When Prescribed Incorrectly, Lifesaving Antibiotics Can Be Dangerous, Carry Real Risks
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Rachel Brummert, B.S., M.S., President of Patient Safety Impact
In 2006, my doctor prescribed me Levaquin—a fluoroquinolone antibiotic—for a suspected sinus infection. A few weeks later, I ruptured my Achilles tendon while walking across a parking lot to my car.
Since that time, I have suffered 24 tendon ruptures, each of which required extensive reconstructive surgeries. In addition, I suffer from central and autonomic nervous system damage. This damage is permanent. I also have short-term and long-term memory loss, loss of balance, peripheral neuropathy in my extremities, chronic pain, chronic low blood pressure, and other symptoms that make daily life challenging.
I never knew that an antibiotic, which I thought was supposed to help me feel better, could cause an otherwise healthy person like myself to become disabled at 36 years old.
It is important that both patients and healthcare providers are aware of both the risks and benefits of fluoroquinolones and make an informed decision about their use.
The most commonly prescribed fluoroquinolones are Levaquin (levofloxacin), Cipro (ciprofloxacin), and Avelox (moxifloxacin). Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing fluoroquinolones for acute bacterial sinus infections, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, or uncomplicated urinary tract infections can put a patient at risk for severe, disabling, and often permanent adverse reactions. For those infections, the risks outweigh the benefits. That is exactly what happened to me.
Unfortunately, my story is not rare. Many victims have suffered adverse events after being unnecessarily prescribed a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
In November 2015, the FDA held an Advisory Committee Hearing about the risks versus benefits of fluoroquinolones, at which I testified, and the panel concluded that the serious risks associated with the use of fluoroquinolones for these types of uncomplicated infections generally outweighed the benefits for patients with other treatment options. Based on Advisory Committee recommendations, the FDA issued a limitations-of-use directive on July 26, 2016.
Despite several FDA Black Box warnings on fluoroquinolones, they are still commonly prescribed because these warnings are not reaching their intended audiences—healthcare providers and patients. Guidelines recommend alternatives to fluoroquinolone antibiotics to treat minor, uncomplicated infections.
What happened to me, and many others, can be prevented. Had we known that the risks of fluoroquinolones outweigh the benefits for some infections, we would have discussed alternative treatment recommendations with our doctors. Educating healthcare providers and patients about improving antibiotic prescribing and use and raising awareness about the risks of fluoroquinolones will help reduce the likelihood that others suffer the same fate.
Read more about how fluoroquinolones are prescribed in doctor’s offices and emergency departments. Ask your healthcare provider if the antibiotic he or she is prescribing is the right tool to treat your illness.
Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care campaign, CDC
CDC Training on Antibiotic Stewardship (Free CE)
“Thinking of a Fluoroquinolone? Think Again,” Medscape Expert Commentary
11 comments on “When Prescribed Incorrectly, Lifesaving Antibiotics Can Be Dangerous, Carry Real Risks”
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Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials, are medications that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria.
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight certain infections and can save lives when used properly. They either stop bacteria from reproducing or destroy them.Some medical professionals have concerns that people are overusing antibiotics. They also believe that this overuse contributes toward the growing number of bacterial infections that are becoming resistant to antibacterial medications.
@Vic (and several others) – I had my “mental crash” in 2017 after taking Levaquin and I’ve never been the same since. I know exactly the mental fog you mentioned here. It’s terrible. On my better days I can look back at myself over the previous week or so and think, wow, that’s not me. This has been a very long road and I still have trouble accepting the things I can no longer do. I only wish I knew or had any idea how to even be officially diagnosed. My doctor agrees with me but as FQAD isn’t in the DSM, he can’t officially diagnose me. I’m fortunate I don’t suffer the physical side-effects of this drug, but I’d almost rather be in physical pain than to lose what’s most important to me, my mental facilities and thoughts.
How do you get through the mental fog weakness and terrible anxiety and nerve pain. Mine started in 2016 only to get worse after seeking treatment for all my problems
You’ve most likely taken an antibiotic or anti-infective at least once in your lifetime. From treatments for painful strep throat or ear infections as a child, to burning urinary tract infections or itchy skin infections as an adult, antibiotics are one of the most highly utilized and important medication classes we have in medicine.
Understanding the vast world of antibiotics and anti-infectives is no easy task. Anti-infectives are a large class of drugs that cover a broad range of infections, including fungal, viral, bacterial, and even protozoal infections.
After being prescribed Cipro in December of ’17 after suspected, never confirmed, UTI, I suffered the following:
.First, crippling pain throughout my body, couldn’t move a muscle without unthinkable pain.
.Slow but persistent anxiety and insomnia so severe that eventually
.Led to constant suicidal thoughts so severe that I had a plan to off myself that only failed because I was too weak to walk to garage
I’d like to sue the hospital that prescribed it to me as my life has been over and I’ve hardly made progress and depend on various other pharmaceutical drugs for survival, which are dangerous in their own ways but without which I’d surely be far worse or dead.
I feel the medical community, particularly mainstream, is ignorant and to this day, they look at me like I’m crazy when I say Cipro started all my decline.
Hi Alyson, we are concerned for your safety and would like to help you find someone to talk to. The trained counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are available 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The call is free and confidential. To learn more about the Lifeline or to chat with someone who can help, visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. We hope that you can remain safe and continue to reach out. Please do not do anything to hurt yourself. Please talk to someone.
Antibiotics, also known as antibacterials, are medications that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria. They include a range of powerful drugs and are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria. Antibiotics cannot treat viral infections, such as cold, flu, and most coughs.
I, too, have been plagued with heart arrhythmia after getting Cipro intravenously for one hour for a ” suspected intestinal ” infection. Physicians continue to deny it
Antibiotics are among the most important tools available to medicine and public health, but widespread misuse is threatening their effectiveness, It is up to all of us—patients, health professionals, and the agricultural sector—to use these medicines judiciously to reverse the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause. Practices that increase the development of resistant bacteria include pharmacies’ dispensing antibiotics without a prescription and patients’ not completing a full course of antibiotics as prescribed.
Nowadays meds and consultancy also available online you can just search and start taking advice from any person who is completely unknown. Meds are also easily available at several online stores like amazon, ebay and mygenericpharmacy.com etc.
Bravo Rachael. So how do we bring about the seismic change needed whereby the drug companies have to live by the same rules as the rest of us?
After taking Levoquin, I had an adverse reaction. I was unable to concentrate, and did not realize that a significant amount of time had passed without my notice. I made a serious error at work while under it’s affects. I also have short term memory loss. It is devastating.