Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic
Generic Name:
Ciprofloxacin, Gemifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin
Brand Names:
Cipro, Cipro XR, Factive, Levaquin, Avelox, Noroxin, Floxin
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Description:
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are used to treat a lot of common medical conditions caused by bacteria both in and on the body. These can include skin conditions and rashes, but may also include UTIs, STDs, and other problems that are bacterial in nature and occur both in and on the body. These kinds of antibiotics will not work on viruses such as the flu or common cold and should not be used on them for that reason. There are also some bacterial and other infections that antibiotics are not used to treat, and people who are allergic to any kind of antibiotic may not be able to take fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It is important to tell a doctor about allergies and any other medical conditions before taking this type of medication.
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Uses:
The most common condition treated by fluoroquinolone antibiotics is a bacterial infection. There are some bacterial infections for which fluoroquinolone antibiotics are most commonly used to address, including bronchitis, lung infections, pneumonia, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections (MRSA), urinary tract infections, and prostate infections.
These conditions have been the ones most successfully treated by fluoroquinolone antibiotics, but there are also other infections for which fluoroquinolones may be prescribed. There is a strong desire among doctors today to prescribe lower doses of antibiotics, since there are drug-resistant strains of bacteria appearing in many areas.
Infections, though, must be treated if they do not clear up on their own, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics are some of the first lines of defense for many kinds of infections. They remain popular drugs since they work well on sexually transmitted diseases and other serious bacterial infections, and are able to handle some bacterial infections that other antibiotics are not be strong enough to fight.
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Interactions:
Do not take mineral supplements, vitamins containing iron, pediatric powder, didanosine chewable tablets, antacids containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium within two hours of taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Avoid taking cimetidine, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, probenecid, sucralfate, theophylline-containing drugs, blood thinners, insulin, or multivitamins containing zinc while you are on fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendation:
Dosages depend on the type of fluoroquinolone antibiotic, the patient, and the condition being treated.
Missing a Dose:
Take a missed dose as soon as you remember so that a constant amount of medicine is in the blood and urine. If it is almost time for your next dose, however, skip the missed dose and resume the dosing schedule. Do not double up on doses.
Overdosing:
Seek emergency medical treatment if you think you have overdosed. Symptoms of overdose include severe dizziness.
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic FDA Approval:
There are many types of fluoroquinolone antibiotics that are approved by the FDA.
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
In October of 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published an alert requesting that fluoroquinolone package inserts be amended to include information for consumers about the risk of developing tendinitis or even a tendon rupture while taking the medication.
In July of 2008, the FDA requested that makers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics add a Black Box warning to the drugs to warn consumers about the risk of spontaneous tendon ruptures and tendinitis from systemic use of the drugs.
A majority of the generic versions of fluoroquinolone antibiotics have NOT been updated to include the Black Box warning (as of September 2009), and many name brand products continue to contain the previous warning labels.
Sources:
- http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety
/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/UCM150616.pdf - http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm129354.htm
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antibiotics/FL00075
- http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety
/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm126085.htm
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July 30, 2010, 2:23 pm
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July 30, 2010, 2:13 pm
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July 29, 2010, 12:33 pm
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July 28, 2010, 3:58 pm
