Serious side effects, prescriptions for tourists… After the filing of around twenty complaints against fluoroquinolone antibiotics, an investigation was opened for involuntary homicide and deception.
- Fluoroquinolones, antibiotics indicated in the treatment of serious bacterial infections, are suspected of having caused “abnormal adverse effects” in around twenty patients, which evoke a health scandal.
- The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for “unintentional injuries and deception” after complaints against X or doctors filed in recent years by the alleged victims.
- Fluoroquinolones can cause serious, long-lasting or even irreversible adverse effects such as neurological disorders, nerve damage, tendon damage, heart problems, etc. Some people “are polyhandicapped for life”, says Philippe Coville, himself suffering from neuropathies following the taking of these antibiotics and president of a help association on the subject, speaking to France Info.
They are better known under the names Oflocet, Ciflox or Tavanic. Fluoroquinolones, antibiotics indicated in the treatment of bacterial infections, are suspected of having caused “abnormal side effects” in around twenty patients, who evoke a health scandal.
This is what was reported this week RMCwhile the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into “unintentional harm and deception” after the complaints against X or doctors filed in recent years by the alleged victims.
Serious and even irreversible adverse effects of fluoroquinolones
“Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that may be used in serious bacterial infections” for decades, writes the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM). They can cause serious, long-lasting or even irreversible adverse effects such as neurological disorders, nerve damage, tendon damage, heart problems, etc. Due to taking fluoroquinolones, certain people “are polyhandicapped for life, recognized as such by disability centers”affirms Philippe Coville, himself suffering from neuropathies resulting from taking these antibiotics and president of an aid association on the subject, at the microphone of France Info.
Deploring that these antibiotics are prescribed too often for mild infections (cystitis, sinusitis, etc.), the ANSM reminded doctors last year that they should reserve their use for severe infections. She advises in particular against prescribing it to people who are going to travel to prevent “tourista”, underlines France Info. According to a patient association cited by the media, no less than six million prescriptions in violation of medical recommendations have been made over the past four years.
A drop in the number of fluoroquinolone prescriptions since 2015
Thanks in particular to information notes sent to professionals mentioning the precautions to take, the number of prescriptions for fluoroquinolones decreased by 39% between 2015 and 2022, according to the Ministry of Health. The fact remains that if the ANSM can report these drugs, only the courts or the Order of Physicians can take sanctions.
To limit the risks, according to the daily Free Middaythe medicines agency is however considering developing a new control procedure: a sort of certificate of consent to the risks of these antibiotics that each patient concerned would have to sign.
