Hello! I have been a doctor for 21 years. My name is Georgy Olegovich Sapego. In this article, I'll talk about tendon damage from fluoroquinolones.
Some antibiotics tear tendons. This happens more often with the Achilles tendon. It starts to hurt, swelling appears, and rupture may occur. All this comes from antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone group.
The very first time such a misfortune happened to a patient after a kidney transplant in 1983 in New Zealand. The culprit was the antibiotic norfloxacin. Since then, a huge number of tendons have torn in different people, but no one is going to give up fluoroquinolones. Because they are very effective.
There are different fluoroquinolones and they can all be the culprit.
Why is this happening
Nobody knows for sure, but there are two assumptions.
First version associated with DNA synthesis. Yes, fluoroquinolones ruin the life of microbes because they prevent them from synthesizing DNA normally. It is believed that the enzymes in our bones and muscles are similar to those that make DNA for microbes. Therefore, fluoroquinolones can damage our muscles and bones. Adults will have tendon problems, and children may damage the cartilage in the joints. So fluoroquinolones are not prescribed for children.
The second version is associated with the chelating effect of fluoroquinols. We already talked about chelating agents when we discussed the binding of calcium in the blood. Fluoroquinolones can also bind metals like calcium, magnesium and aluminum. Collagen deteriorates from this. Remember collagen? It is part of the tendons and joints.
As it will be
Pain and swelling will appear near the joint. At this time, there is a chance to fix everything. Usually, before the tendon breaks, it hurts about 2 to 3 centimeters from the joint. You can notice this and consult a doctor.
Most often this happens in people over 60 years old, taking glucocorticoids and in patients with diabetes mellitus.
The tendon ruptures on average 6 days after starting the medication, but the risk of rupture persists for six months. At this time, you need to very carefully dose the physical activity, and if you get sick, then immediately consult a doctor.
