Side Effects
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic often prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as cystitis; urinary tract infection; prostate infection; and ear, sinus and bronchial infections in children. One of the potential side effects of this drug is tendon inflammation. Some people have reported suffering torn tendons, which leaves them unable to bear weight or move a muscle. If you experience pain or swelling in a tendon area, stop taking the drug immediately and report these symptoms to your physician as these may be signs of tendon rupture. In some cases, adverse reactions have been reported to occur after taking just a few doses of the antibiotic. Rest and avoid exercise until you see your health-care provider.
Those Most at Risk
Cipro can cause tendonitis, which is inflammation of a tendon, especially when administered with steroids. The drug can also cause side effects such as Achilles tendonitis and ruptured tendons following the onset of tendonitis, particularly in patients older than age 60. Torn tendons may require surgery to repair. Age and the use of corticosteroids have been identified as risk factors of cipro therapy. While the side effects of tendonitis and tendon rupture have been reported in individuals with no known risk factors, rheumatoid arthritis, strenuous physical activity and chronic renal failure may increase the risk of tendon rupture. Individuals who have had kidney, heart or lung transplants may also be at increased risk of tendonitis related to taking this medication. Complications have been reported to occur while taking the drug or up to several months after completing Cipro therapy. Tendon injuries may involve the Achilles tendon, hand, wrist, thumb, shoulder, biceps or elbow.
FDA Warning
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that the use of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones has been associated with an increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture. Cipro falls within the class of these drugs. It should be noted that how these kinds of antibiotics cause tendon problems remains unknown, although some researchers speculate that drugs like Cipro may cause a toxic effect on connective tissue leading to ruptures. In the January 2003 issue of the Archives of Toxicology, limited data from several animal studies suggest that the use of quinolones, a subset of fluoroquinolones, may cause tendon problems during the earlier stages of development. However, clinical evidence is unclear as to whether children are actually more at risk than adults. In addition, when looking at the number of cases of tendonitis reported to the FDA, this particular side effect of the drug may be rare when compared to the quantity of prescriptions written for the antibiotic. Yet because no potential side effect should be taken lightly, the drug should be prescribed with extreme caution. Patients should be appropriately warned about the possibility of these side effects before taking the medication. Those most at risk, particularly the elderly and immunosuppressed patients, might also be offered other treatment options to consider.
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