The Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation

 
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Central Nervous System Research   See downloads for: Adobe Files



Hedenmalm K, Spigset O

Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Norrland University Hospital, Sweden.

The symptoms and possible risk factors of peripheral sensory disturbances
related to fluoroquinolones are reviewed on the basis of 37 reports submitted
to the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee. In 25 patients
(68%), symptoms occurred within 1 week after start of treatment. Paraesthesia
was the most common complaint and occurred in 81% of the cases. Fifty-one per
cent of the reports concerned numbness/hypoaesthesia, 27% pain/hyperaesthesia
and 11% muscle weakness. Seventy-one per cent of the patients recovered
within 2 weeks after drug discontinuation. Possible predisposing factors were
impaired renal function, diabetes, lymphatic malignancy and treatment with
another drug known to cause neuropathy.