Washington, DCIt’s little wonder the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in the throes of taking a good hard look at fluoroquinolones (FQs) and their association with Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy. An important Canadian study appearing in late September in the Journal Neurology has the medical community talking. With headlines screaming “FDA Evaluating Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics,” it’s no surprise that everyday consumers are talking too, given that antibiotics such as Levaquin and Cipro are oft-prescribed for a wide variety of serious infections.
Dr. David Perlmutter is referencing the study found in the September 30, 2014 edition of Neurology. “Oral fluoroquinolone use and risk of peripheral neuropathy: A pharmacoepidemiologic study” was undertaken by a Canadian-US research team led by Dr. Mahyar Etminan, PharmD, of the University of British Columbia. The study authors concluded that “current users, especially new users of FQs, are at a higher risk of developing PN. Despite the increase in the use of FQs, clinicians should weigh the benefits against the risk of adverse events when prescribing these drugs to their patients.”
It’s a sobering thought, especially since at one time the primary concern with fluoroquinolones were Cipro tendon rupture and Levaquin tendon rupture.
Not any longer. This is something bigger. It’s especially compelling when we consider the reliance we have placed on antibiotics in a society that moves so fast; with the modern workday having evolved over time from the classic nine-to-five staple to a 24/7 availability, no one has time to be sick and allow an ailment to work its way through.
Yes, serious infections such as a urinary tract or upper respiratory tract infection can be serious if left untreated. Fluoroquinolones do a very good job of eradicating serious infections. However, the concern that patients are asking for antibiotics like they were candy - with doctors over-prescribing robust antibiotics such as Cipro and Levaquin in many cases, as Dr. Perlmutter suggests - only serves to exacerbate the problem and may be exposing patients to potential serious adverse reactions like Fluoroquinolone Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy unnecessarily.
The Etminan et al study noted that the risks for developing Fluoroquinolone Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy doubles when compared with those study participants who were not exposed to fluoroquinolones.
So what does Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy look like?
In this video under the auspices of University College Dublin, School of Medicine & Medical Science Educational Innovation, in conjunction with St. Vincent’s Healthcare Department of Neurology, Professor Niall Tubridy introduces us to Michael, who appears to be a middle-aged man with Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy.
There is no reference as to what causes his Peripheral Neuropathy - Type 2 diabetes or fluoroquinolone use. However, there is little doubt that Fluoroquinolone Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy is devastating to anyone who leads an active lifestyle, or who requires strength and coordination for his or her livelihood.
Little wonder consumers, who claim not to have known about the possibility of Fluoroquinolone Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy, are seeking compensation through the courts. The FDA added a boxed warning to fluoroquinolones in 2008 for tendon rupture. The FDA had to revisit the warning pathway for FQ given recent revelations.
Victims of Fluoroquinolone Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy have to wonder why this wasn’t identified during the clinical trial process prior to the approval of fluoroquinolones - and if it was, why consumers were left in the dark.
If you or a loved one have suffered losses in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a drugs & medical lawyer who may evaluate your Fluorquinolone claim at no cost or obligation.