Have the FDA's Warnings Affected Fluoroquinolone Prescribing in the U.S.?

Although fluoroquinolones (FQ) are a cornerstone for managing outpatient infections, their association with adverse reactions leading to hospital admission triggered a series of FDA safety warnings about their use:

• May 2016: Risks outweigh benefits of prescribing FQ for acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infection.

• July 2018: FQ can adversely affect glucose homeostasis and mental health.

• December 2018: FQ use has been associated with excess risk for aortic dissection and aortic rupture.

Given the reliance of many healthcare providers on this mainstay therapy, have the FDA's warnings meaningfully affected FQ use? Investigators queried National Prescription Audit Databases to compare monthly outpatient prescription…