Fluoroquinolone Damage

July 4, 2009

One serious side effect that is not commonly discussed with patients is

tendon and other tissue damage with these antibiotics. The quinolones include

Levaquin and Cipro and even the popular **Lyme-killing** herb Samento or

**cat's claw.** A full list is at the bottom of this article.

Quinolones easily enter cells and are often used to treat intracellular

pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

The FDA has increased their side effect warnings since the drugs were

first approved. I just want to focus on three side effects that might not be

routine but are possible risks:

* Damage to nerves outside the brain: This could present as sensory

nerve or muscle nerve injury causing paresthesias, hypoaesthesias,

dysesthesias, and weakness. New pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or

weakness,

or new decreased abilities to detect light touch, pain, temperature,

position sense, vibratory sensation, and/or motor strength are basic nerve

functions and show damageSTOP DRUG!

* Tendon damage: While some focus on the Achilles tendon, actual

tears of tendons have occurred in the hand, the shoulder, the thigh, or other

tendons. Some are helped with surgery. Other patients feel the surgical or

other treatment still leaves them with damage. It is believed by some that

the use of prednisone and other cortical steroids meant to drop

inflammation increase the risk of tendon damage. Perhaps this is especially

true in

older seniors. Surprisingly, tendons can rupture after the medication is

stopped. Some have suggested IV or sublingual magnesium might decrease the

risk, but I am not away this has been proven.

* Kidney stones

*******

This letter was just posted by a young person with severe quinolone

damage. He wanted it posted to warn physicians and other prescribing health

care

workers.

[Continued ......]

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