Fluoroquinolones Health Article

Side effects

The most common side effects are mild diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach or abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, nervousness, sleep problems, and headache. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment unless they are bothersome.

More serious side effects are not common, but may occur. If any of the following side effects occur, check with a physician immediately:

• skin rash or other skin problems such as itching, peeling, hives, or redness
• fever
• agitation or confusion
• hallucinations
• shakiness or tremors
• seizures or convulsions
• tingling of fingers or toes
• pain where the medicine was injected (lasting after the injection)
• pain in the calves, spreading to the heels
• swelling of the calves or lower legs
• swelling of the face or neck
• swallowing problems
• rapid heartbeat
• shortness of breath
• loss of consciousness

Other rare side effects may occur. Anyone who has unusual symptoms after taking fluoroquinolones should get in touch with his or her physician.

Interactions

Fluoroquinolones may interact with other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes fluoroquinolones should let the physician know all other medicines he or she is taking. Among the drugs that may interact with fluoroquinolones are:

• antacids that contain aluminum, calcium, or magnesium
• medicines that contain iron or zinc, including multivitamin and mineral supplements
• sucralfate (Carafate)
• caffeine
• blood thinning drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• airway opening drugs (bronchodilators) such as amino-phylline, theophylline (Theo-Dur and other brands), and oxtriphylline (choledyl and other brands)
• didanosine (Videx), used to treat HIV infection.

The list above does not include every drug that may interact with fluoroquinolones. Be sure to check with a physician or pharmacist before combining fluoroquinolones with any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicine.

OTHER

"Fluoroquinolones (Systemic)." National Library of medicine. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/fluoroquinolonessystemic202656.html>.

Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt

KEY TERMS

Bacteria—Tiny, one-celled forms of life that cause many diseases and infections.

Bronchitis—Inflammation of the air passages of the lungs.

Digestive tract—The stomach, intestines, and other parts of the body through which food passes.

Inflammation—Pain, redness, swelling, and heat that usually develop in response to injury or illness.

Microorganism—An organism that is too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Pneumonia—A disease in which the lungs become inflamed. Pneumonia may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or other organisms, or by physical or chemical irritants.

Prostate—A donut-shaped gland in males below the bladder that contributes to the production of semen.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD)—A disease that is passed from one person to another through sexual intercourse or other intimate sexual contact.

Tendon—A tough band of tissue that connects muscle to bone.

Tuberculosis—An infectious disease that usually affects the lungs, but may also affect other parts of the body. Symptoms include fever, weight loss, and coughing up blood.

Urinary tract—The passage through which urine flows from the kidneys out of the body.