Cipro

If you have suffered a personl injury as a result of the dangerous drug Cipro, you may be eligble for compensation and should contact an attorney who specializes in product liability litigation and dangerous drug litigation against pharmaceutical companies.

Cipro Causes Tendinitis & Tendon Rupture

Fluoroquinolones, including Cipro, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages. This risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants.

Tendinopathy and Tendon Rupture: Fluoroquinolones, including Cipro, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages. This adverse reaction most frequently involves the Achilles tendon, and rupture of the Achilles tendon may require surgical repair. Tendinitis and tendon rupture in the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, the thumb, and other tendon sites have also been reported. The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendinitis and tendon rupture is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants. Factors, in addition to age and corticosteroid use, that may independently increase the risk of tendon rupture include strenuous physical activity, renal failure, and previous tendon disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Tendinitis and tendon rupture have also occurred in patients taking fluoroquinolones who do not have the above risk factors. Tendon rupture can occur during or after completion of therapy; cases occurring up to several months after completion of therapy have been reported. Cipro should be discontinued if the patient experiences pain, swelling, inflammation or rupture of a tendon. Patients should be advised to rest at the first sign of tendinitis or tendon rupture, and to contact their healthcare provider regarding changing to a non-quinolone antimicrobial drug.

• Cipro & Tendon Rupture Precautions

• Pain, swelling, inflammation, and tears of tendons including the Achilles, shoulder, hand, or other tendons can happen in patients taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics.  Tendons are the areas that connect your muscles to your joints. The Achilles tendon is at the back of the ankle.  The chance of getting tendon problems is higher if you are:
  • over 60 years of age
  • taking steroids (corticosteroids)
  • a kidney, heart, or lung transplant recipient
    
    
• Other reasons for tendon ruptures include:
  • physical activity or exercise
  • kidney failure
  • tendon problems in the past, such as with rheumatoid arthritis
    
    
• Call your healthcare provider right away at the first signs or symptoms of pain, swelling or inflammation in a tendon area.  These could be symptoms of tendinitis or tendon rupture.  Stop taking your fluoroquinolone until a healthcare provider has determined that you do not have tendinitis or a tendon rupture.  Signs or symptoms of tendon rupture include:
  • a snap or pop in a tendon area
  • bruising right after an injury in a tendon area
  • inability to move the affected area or bear weight
    
    
• At the first sign of pain, swelling, or inflammation in a tendon area, avoid exercise and use of the affected area.
  
  
• Talk to your healthcare provider about the risk of tendon rupture with continued use of a fluoroquinolone and whether you should be prescribed a different type of antibiotic to treat your infection.
  
  

• Tell your doctor about other medicines that you take and other medical conditions that you have.  Some medicines may interact with a fluoroquinolone and cause serious side effects.  Also, some medical conditions may make you more likely to have a serious side effect when you take a fluoroquinolone.
  
  
• Fluoroquinolones, like any drug, have possible side effects associated with their use.  Rarely, some side effects may be serious or even fatal; however, most of the risks are mild.  Some of the most serious side effects include seizures, hallucinations, depression, heart rhythm changes (QTc prolongation and torsade de points), and intestine infection with diarrhea.  Rarely, damage to the liver, kidneys or bone marrow, and changes to blood sugar may occur.
  
  
• Fluoroquinolones are antimicrobials that are effective in treating infections caused by certain bacteria.  They do not help to treat infections caused by viruses, such as a common cold or the flu.