Friday Factoid: Fluoroquinolone Alert

Whilst antibiotics are here to help you, some can instead harm you by posing a risk to an already-at-risk aorta. 

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics should be avoided in individuals with Marfan syndrome,Loeys Dietz and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS). Research has shown a small increased risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection.

 While the increase is only small, the risk of aortic dissection is already significantly higher in these patient groups so a small increased risk can be very significant.

Both the NHS and the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) advise against these drugs in individuals with a higher risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection.

Fluoroquinolones are a group of antibiotics used to treat infections. In the UK the medicines available in this group are:

- Levofloxacin

- Ciprofloxacin

- Moxifloxacin

- Ofloxacin

There will be an alternative to this group of medicines in most cases so this should be discussed with your doctor.

We have created an alert card that you can carry with you.Link here. 

Further Reading