Chinese FDA issues reminder on fluoroquinolone safety

China’s national Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has issued a reminder to clinicians on the potential for adverse effects with overuse and misuse of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

In a statement released this week, the SFDA said that fluoroquinolones were potent antibiotics but there was a need for prudence in their use because of the risk of adverse effects. The update in the Adverse Drug Reaction Information Bulletin said that the antibiotics may aggravate myasthenia gravis, cause peripheral neuropathy and increase the risk of hypoglycaemia in diabetes.

The SFDA recommended that clinicians adhere closely to prescribing advice for fluoroquinolone drugs, with attention to appropriate indications, dosage, drug interactions, and use in special populations, The SFDA also recommended that  pharmaceutical companies improve the monitoring of adverse drug reactions, and publicise the rational use of the drugs to prescribers.

Source: SFDA