Four questions about fluoroquinolones, these antibiotics suspected of abnormal adverse effects

An investigation was opened after around twenty people filed complaints after having consumed it.

The public health unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into unintentional injuries and deception, after receiving around twenty complaints from users of fluoroquinolones. They say they suffered “abnormal side effects” following the consumption of these antibiotics, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed on Wednesday March 27 to franceinfo. In 2023, patients claiming to be victims of fluoroquinolones filed complaints and spoke of a health scandal. A patient association denounced “six million poisonings in France in four years”. Here are four questions that arise following the opening of an investigation into these drugs.

What are fluoroquinolones?

Fluoroquinolones belong to a class of antibiotics that have been used against bacteria for decades. They are known under the names Oflocet, Ciflox or Tavanic. These drugs are often effective against the most serious infections and therefore have a use, according to the Medicines Safety Agency which confirms that they have their place in the therapeutic arsenal.

But like any medication, there is this famous benefit-risk ratio to take into account. No medication is harmless. Even if taken incorrectly, paracetamol can kill you.

What are the side effects?

In the context of fluoroquinolones, there are significant risks which have been identified by health agencies, the ANSM in France since 2015 and by the European Medicines Agency in 2018. These are very serious risks of side effects. serious, sometimes irreversible. For example, heart problems, tendon ruptures or neurological disorders which can lead to paralysis.

Philippe Coville, president of the association for help and information on the harmful effects of fluoroquinolones, assures that certain people “are polyhandicapped for life, recognized as such by disability centers.” “They are almost abandoned in the French health system”he laments.

When to prescribe them?

It is therefore a medication to be prescribed with caution, health authorities warn. The Medicines Agency also reminded doctors, just last year, to be very careful in their prescriptions. In short: to only prescribe them for severe infections. If it’s for simple cystitis for which alternatives exist, no. It is also not recommended to prescribe it for patients who are going to travel to prevent tourism.

This may seem anecdotal but the Medicines Agency notes that, through force of habit, certain doctors have trivialized fluoroquinolones. And despite the recommendations, restrictions, alerts and certain health professionals continue to prescribe them for nothing to their patients. So in summary, these antibiotics are drugs for which the risks are identified but victims of incorrect prescription.

Can health authorities sanction?

It is up to the doctors’ order to do so eventually or to the courts. The medicines agency cannot sanction but is considering setting up a certification system. This is a rare procedure: each time a doctor prescribes fluoroquinolones, he would be required to have his patient sign a certificate informing him of the risks, a sort of consent. The idea is therefore better information for the patient, but also a way of making doctors realize that their prescriptions should not be taken lightly.