Fluoroquinolones and Risk for Peripheral Neuropathy

Although a warning about peripheral neuropathy was added to the labels of injectable and orally administered fluoroquinolones in 2004, the FDA has received numerous additional reports of this potentially disabling adverse reaction. Symptoms can develop rapidly or at any time after starting therapy; they can last for months to years after stopping the offending drug. The FDA has not identified any specific risk factors.

The FDA is now requiring manufacturers to update fluoroquinolone drug labels and medication guides to better describe the potential for serious and possibly permanent nerve damage. Healthcare providers should educate patients about this adverse reaction when prescribing these drugs and urge them to contact the prescriber promp…