Article: Tequin's Serious Injuries - Bristol-Myers Feigns Ignorance

In most cases, Dr Cohen noted, side effects were multiple, involving many systems of the body including reports that nervous system symptoms occurred in 91% of the patients, musculoskeletal in 73%, sensory system in 42% of the subjects, cardiovascular symptoms in 36%, skin reactions in 29%, and gastrointestinal symptoms in 18% of the patients.

The fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics includes: ciprofloxacin (Arflox, C-Flox, Ciloxan, Ciloquin, Ciproxin, Ciprol, Profloxin, Proquin, Procip, Ciprobay, Ciaxone); norfloxacin (Insensye, Norflohexal, Noroxin, Nufloxib, Roxin); gatifloxacin (Tequin); moxifloxacin (Avelox); as well as several other generic versions of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin.

Another serious side effect experienced by patients using Tequin involves tendon disorders. A February 2006, Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin, reported an increased risk of tendinitis and even tendon rupture with all fluoroquinolones.

Of the 213 reported cases of tendinitis or tendon rupture, more than 80% involved fluroquinolones, the Bulletin said.

"Patients should be advised to be alert for pain or discomfort in the Achilles tendon or calf," the Bulletin warned, "and to inform their doctors and cease taking the medicine if this occurs."

In September 2004, the FDA announced label changes for Tequin to include warnings of (1) QTc Interval Prolongation; (2) Tendon Effects; and (3) Peripheral Neuropathy and added descriptions of these 3 adverse reaction to the patient package inserts.

For QTc interval prolongation, the insert states: "Gatifloxacin has the potential to prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients. QTc prolongation may lead to an increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes."

On peripheral neuropathy, the insert notes: "Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and/or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving quinolones."

And for tendon effects, the insert states: "Ruptures of the shoulder, hand, Achilles tendon, or other tendons that required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including levofloxacin."

In light of the serious injuries now linked to the drug, it might have been a wise decision on the part of BMS to get Tequin out of Dodge.

For more informaton for injured parties go to Lawyers and Settlements.com

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/tequin_pulled.html

By Evelyn Pringle
evelyn.pringle@sbcglobal.net

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