Connecting the dots: Reasons why fluoroquinolones such as Levaquin destroy conne

[Guest guest]

Connecting the dots: Reasons why fluoroquinolones such as Levaquin destroy

connective tissue matrices found in tendons all over the body

_http://westpalmbeach.injuryboard.com/defective-and-dangerous-products/conne

cting-the-dots-reasons-why-fluoroquinolones-such-as-levaquin-destroy-connect

ive-tissue-matrices-found-in-tendons-all-over-the-body.aspx?googleid=251520_

 

(http://westpalmbeach.injuryboard.com/defective-and-dangerous-products/connectin\

g-the-dots-reasons-why-fluoroquinolones-such-as-levaquin-destroy-connec

tive-tissue-matrices-found-in-tendons-all-over-the-body.aspx?googleid=251520

)

 

 

Sometimes searching for information has to occur outside the box. For

example, who would have thought that a scholarly paper about eye drops would

contain information central to understanding how fluoroquinolones (floxacins)

like Levaquin, can negatively affect the connective tissue scaffolding

found in tendons all over the body?

 

Recently the _FDA issued a boxed warning _

(http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01858.html) for fluoroquinolones.

 

 

In its July 2008 fluoroquinolone news release, the FDA stated the

following concerning boxed warnings:

… " Fluoroquinolones are effective in treating certain bacterial infections,

but health care professionals and patients need to be aware of the

increased risk associated with the use of these drugs of developing tendinitis

and

tendon rupture, particularly for certain patient populations, " said Edward

Cox, M.D., director, Office of Antimicrobial Products, Center for Drug

Evaluation and Research. " The FDA believes it is important to highlight and

strengthen information regarding possible side effects of fluoroquinolones

because it may affect decisions about the relative risks and benefits

associated with these products….

The medications involved in this action are: Cipro and generic

ciprofloxacin, Cipro XR and Proquin XR (ciprofloxacin extended release),

Factive

(gemifloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), Avelox (moxifloxacin), Noroxin

(norfloxacin), and Floxin and generic ofloxacin.â€

 

 

Questions:

- What is the reason why the fluoroquinolone family of drugs is linked

with tendon destruction all over the body?

- Why is the Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the body, the site of

the most dramatic tendon shearing?

Let’s address the second question first.

· Why is the Achilles tendon most prominently _affected_

(http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Achilsten.html) ?

[continued....................]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(http://westpalmbeach.injuryboard.com/defective-and-dangerous-products/connectin\

g-the-dots-reasons-why-fluoroquinolones-such-as-levaquin-destroy-connec

tive-tissue-matrices-found-in-tendons-all-over-the-body.aspx?googleid=251520

)