Cross-Reactivity Among Fluoroquinolones Appears to Be Uncommon

Patients with a confirmed hypersensitivity reaction to a fluoroquinolone are likely to tolerate other fluoroquinolones.

Among antibiotic classes on patients' allergy lists, fluoroquinolones (FQ) are second only to beta-lactams. Drug challenge is the only way to confirm tolerance to FQ. Shah et al. performed a retrospective chart review across 19 hospitals within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; participants comprised inpatients with confirmed true hypersensitivity reactions to levofloxacin (LVX), moxifloxacin (MOX), or ciprofloxacin (CIP) and a documented receipt of a different FQ. Among 230 eligible patients (80% female; 95% white; median age, 59), 161 received a different FQ after the index allergy and 69 had received a FQ before the index allergy. Reactions included rash and hives (81%), respiratory distress (6%), angioedema (6%), and anaphyla…

Reviewing Author

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases

Cross-Reactivity Among Fluoroquinolones Appears to Be Uncommon

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Reviewing Author