Fluoroquinolone-Induced Serious, Persistent, Multisymptom Adverse Effects

The document from October 5, 2015, presents a case series involving four previously healthy adults who experienced severe, persistent, and disabling multisymptom adverse effects from fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics. These effects included tendinopathy, muscle weakness, peripheral neuropathy, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disorder, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric disturbance, which continued to progress even after discontinuation of the drug. The study suggests that these symptoms may be due to FQ-induced mitochondrial toxicity, which could lead to oxidative stress and a self-sustaining cycle of mitochondrial damage. The authors recommend that FQ use should be limited to situations where no other safe and effective alternatives are available, and both patients and physicians should be educated about the potential for serious side effects. The study emphasizes the need for patients to report adverse effects promptly and suggests avoiding FQs for non-life-threatening infections. The paper does not provide a defined base population or control group and is a case series with acknowledged limitations.