Antibiotics Cipro and Levaquin Must Include Warnings About Risk of Tendon Damage

The makers of the popular antibiotics Cipro and Levaquin must warn users about the increased risk of tendon ruptures and tendinitis from taking the drugs, the Food and Drug Administration said.

Cipro and Levaquin are two leading brands of fluoroquinolones, a family of prescription antibiotics that is commonly used to kill bacteria or prevent their growth inside the body. The antibiotics are used to treat urinary tract infections, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and some sexually transmitted diseases.

Federal health officials have received hundreds of reports of Cipro and Levaquin patients suffering tendon ruptures and tendinitis, particularly in the shoulders, hands and feet. The FDA has ordered the makers of the drugs to add warnings to the products’ packaging.

Other injuries associated with Cipro and Levaquin use include swelling of the face and throat, difficulty swallowing, tingling sensation in the fingers or toes, and shortness of breath.

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