Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that are commonly used for the treatment of infectious diseases. Widely prescribed by healthcare practitioners, they are the third most often used antibiotic. Some of the most common ones include ciprofloxacin (Cifro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), and moxifloxacin (Avelox). They are generally used to treat more severe infections and even those that are life-threatening. For less severe infections, fluoroquinolones aren’t recommended, especially since they are very potent and can cause some unwanted side-effects.
Side Effects of Fluroquinolines
Some of the more common side effects of fluoroquinolones include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and sleep disruptions. Fluoroquinolones are generally safe for use by people with serious infections that have no other form of treatment or if the patient has allergies that would prevent them from using other classes of antibiotics. However, for others, fluoroquinolones can lead to some serious side effects.
The US Food and Drug Administration Agency (FDA) warns against the use of fluoroquinolones as an antibiotic for the treatment of certain infections. Three of these include bronchitis, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections. This is because the potentially harmful side effects outweigh the benefits of the antibiotic for treating such conditions, especially when they’re mild and no serious health concerns are present. Instead, they’re limited only as a treatment method for infections that pose health complications.
Serious side effects that fluoroquinolones can cause include the following:
- Chronic pain conditions
- Swelling and pain caused to joints, tendons, and muscles
- Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety
- Nerve damage resulting in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Poor quality of life, including employment difficulties, financial issues, and domestic affairs
Some symptoms can last long-term, even up to more than a year after taking the antibiotic. Some even report side effects lasting longer and cases have been recorded where permanent damage has been left. Other health-related dangers include rupturing of the aorta, drastically low blood sugar levels, and as it relates to mental health problems, suicidal thoughts in some cases.
Final Words
Fluoroquinolones are an antibiotics that can be a great treatment measure for dealing with milder forms of bacterial infections. However, for more severe infections, caution should be taken, and in most cases, they should be avoided. Fluoroquinolones can lead to some serious side effects. In mild cases of infection, the cons tend to outweigh the pros of taking this antibiotic, therefore another strain will likely be more suitable.