Side effects of fluoroquinolones: an investigation into unintentional injuries and deception was opened in Paris

An investigation into unintentional injuries and deception has been launched in Paris following complaints from people who experienced abnormal side effects after taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, the Paris prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.

The investigation revealed by RMC is being carried out by the public health department of the Paris prosecutor’s office, “which has received about twenty complaints,” according to this source. “An investigation is currently underway to determine whether these offenses are serious,” she added.

These medications are a class of antibiotics that can be used for serious bacterial infections. They are often sold under different names such as Oflocet, Ciflox or Tavanic.

Limited authorization since 2019

“Fluoroquinolones may be necessary in the treatment of some bacterial infections. However, they should only be prescribed after a careful assessment of their benefits, taking into account the risks of expected side effects and after informing the patient,” the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) states in a topic file on fluoroquinolones, updated in October. 2023.

In a letter to health professionals published in June 2023, ANSM recalls that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) “strongly recommended that their use be restricted” following an assessment carried out at European level in 2018 regarding the serious and long-term (long-term) risk. months or years), disabling and potentially irreversible side effects, mainly affecting the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. In 2019, the use of fluoroquinolone drugs was significantly limited.

The ANSM lists cases in which these antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, delafloxacin, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin) should not be prescribed, for example, for non-severe infections or mild to moderate infections (cystitis, acute bronchitis, acute otitis media…) . And he emphasizes that “evidence from a recent study suggests that fluoroquinolones continue to be prescribed outside of recommended use.”

Tendonitis, neuropathic disorders, hallucinations…

Serious side effects include tendinitis, tendon rupture, limb pain, gait disturbances, neuropathies associated with paresthesias, depression, fatigue, memory problems, hallucinations, psychosis, sleep disturbances, and disturbances in hearing, vision, taste and smell.

“Nothing is being done to stop this system of over-prescribing. “Doctors continue to write prescriptions” despite reports and warnings, said Philip Coville, president of the 650-member Fluoroquinolone Harmful Assistance and Information Association. He says he had “severe health problems for two and a half years” following a urinary tract infection treated with this family of drugs.