A preventable, life-altering case of fluoroquinolone-associated tendonitis

Authors

Anne Wildermuth, At the time this article was written, Anne Wildermuth was an assistant professor and Megan Holmes was a student in the PA program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Ms. Wildermuth now is the associate program director and an assistant professor in the PA program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Ms. Holmes now practices at Bryan Heart Vascular Surgery in Lincoln, Neb. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Megan Holmes

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

11-1-2022

Journal

JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants

Volume

35

Issue

11

DOI

10.1097/01.JAA.0000873776.37967.9b

Abstract

Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, are broad-spectrum antibacterial agents that have historically been widely used for urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and intra-abdominal infections but are associated with several serious adverse reactions, including tendinopathy and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, and aortic aneurysm. These drugs should not be used for uncomplicated infections unless no other antimicrobial treatment is feasible. This article describes a patient who experienced life-altering disability from a fluoroquinolone, reviews the adverse reactions of this drug class, and discusses recommended treatment for acute uncomplicated cystitis and asymptomatic bacteriuria.

APA Citation

Wildermuth, Anne and Holmes, Megan, "A preventable, life-altering case of fluoroquinolone-associated tendonitis" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 2011.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2011

Department

Physician Assistant Studies