Antibiotics Damage Tendons

U.S. health regulators recently revealed certain drugs such as Cipro, Avelox, Factive, Levaquin, Floxin, Noroxin and Proquin XR need stronger warnings about the risk of tendonitis and ruptured tendons. The estimated risk of tendon ruptures is about three to four times higher with these drugs or about 1 in 100,000 in the general population. Most cases involve the Achilles tendon, which attaches the calf muscle to the heel. Less frequent ruptures affected tendons in the shoulders, biceps, hands and elsewhere.

Government data indicates 262 reported tendon ruptures, 258 cases of tendonitis and 274 other tendon disorders through the end of 2005. Since then, roughly 100 more cases have been reported. The risk is greater in patient’s ages 60 and older, those who have had certain organ transplants and those using steroid therapy.

Despite existing warnings, the FDA continues to receive a considerable number of reports of tendon-related adverse events. The FDA believes that these new labeling changes will better inform health-care providers and patients about the risk. In some cases the damage is irreversible, in spite of surgical therapy.
Many patients are unaware that Chinese herbal medicine is a suitable alternative to western drugs, without the dangerous side effects.

Meridian Harmonics