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Broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for bacterial infections for which their use is essential, for lack of an alternative. This is one of the latest recommendations from the French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (SFPT), published on its website.
The French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (SFPT) has just issued an opinion concerning the broad-spectrum antibiotics that are fluoroquinolones.
Antibiotics reserved for bacterial infections for which “no alternative is possible”
The SFPT concludes with a “unfavorable risk-benefit ratio of fluoroquinolones when used in non-serious community infections“. This class of antibiotics should therefore be reserved for bacterial infections for which “no alternative is possible” And “except in exceptional cases, they should no longer be prescribed as first-line treatment, particularly in otitis, bronchitis and simple urinary tract infections“.
An opinion shared by the National Health and Medicines Agency (ANSM), in a recent opinion, dated January 10, 2023.
What are fluoroquinolone drugs?
Fluoroquinolones are therefore antibiotics”widely and unjustifiably prescribed” recalls the SFPT, citing a recent estimate that advances “three times more prescriptions outside the recommendations than prescriptions within the recommendations” for this drug. Here is the list of fluoroquinolones currently on sale:
What are the side effects of this medication?
Other reasons for SFPT to limit the use of fluoroquinolones include its broad-spectrum coverage and adverse effects. Indeed, fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics, so they will be active on a wide type of bacteria and result in the “appearance of antibiotic resistance”. Finally, they are also likely to cause “serious, disabling, long-lasting and irreversible” adverse effects such as:
- musculoskeletal disorders (tendinopathy);
- Cardiovascular disorders (heart rhythm disorders, aortic aneurysm and dissection, heart valve damage);
- Peripheral neuropathies;
- Neuropsychiatric disorders.
“These effects are more frequent and/or more severe in the elderly or with kidney failure but can occur even in young people.” reminds the SFPT. “IThey can appear from the first hours of treatment, usually occur after several days of treatment, and sometimes up to several months after stopping treatment.
Finally, patients should quickly consult their doctor in the event of the appearance of symptoms such as:
- Dyspnea;
- Muscle or tendon pain;
- nerve damage;
- Visual disturbances;
- photosensitization.
And immediately contact 15 in case of sudden and intense abdominal, chest or back pain by reporting the taking of these drugs in the previous weeks or months.