FDA alert-Avoid CIPRO RX for Urinary Tract Infections, sinusitis, bronchitis if lesser drugs will su

Good evening friends~

Today in my list of medical alerts, I see this article by the FDA released May 12, 2016. 

Now we are told that Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), should not be used to treat uncomplicated infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and urinary tract infections for which other drug types are effective.

Each one of us has, no doubt, have had CIPRO prescribed for our UTIs which are not uncommon with us.  This just makes me wonder about the drugs doctors prescribe for us.  After you read the article, there have been 25 comments which are also instructive.

Just thought I would post this, because I suspect most of us have been diagnosed with sinusitis, bronchitis or a urinary tract infection at some point in our lives.  CIPRO is an antibiotic commonly prescribed for UTIs.  It has certainly been prescribed for me.  Now I’ll have to ask the doctor to consider alternatives with less side effects when I get sick next time.

The last thing we need is a drug reaction from a strong drug to cure a common problem!

Loretta – Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

NOTE:  IF YOU KEY IN MEDPAGETODAY.COM, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VERIFY THE ARTICLE.  However, I just attempted to post it and got another SECURITY ERROR.  So the exact article is quoted below but without the web reference! 

"FDA: Avoid Cipro, Similar Drugs for Common Infections - Agency says risks outweigh benefits

byJohn Gever  - Managing Editor, MedPage Today

WASHINGTON -- Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, the class that includes ciprofloxacin (Cipro), should not be used to treat uncomplicated infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and urinary tract infections for which other drug types are effective, the FDA announced Thursday.

Only patients with these conditions who can't be treated with other agents should receive fluoroquinolones, the agency said.

"An FDA safety review has shown that fluoroquinolones when used systemically (i.e., tablets, capsules, and injectable) are associated with disabling and potentially permanent serious side effects that can occur together. These side effects can involve the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system," the FDA said.

Labels and medication guides for these agents will be updated to reflect the review's findings.

The FDA noted that it has had concerns about fluoroquinolones for these uses for many years, having included boxed warnings about the tendon risks in 2008, for example.

Last year, the agency convened an advisory committee meeting to review the risk-benefit balance for fluoroquinolones. The panel agreed that the balance was unfavorable for sinusitis, bronchitis, and other common conditions for which multiple treatment options exist."