Canadian drug reviewers are warning doctors to watch out for the potential risk of a liver injury from Avelox, an antibiotic that health officials in Canada say can lead to liver failure and death.
Health Canada issued the Avelox liver injury warning to health care professionals on Monday, following a safety review of Avelox side effects. The reviewers concluded that Avelox can cause rare, but potentially fatal, liver injury and liver failure.
Health Canada is requiring Bayer to update the label warnings of the drug in Canada to include the association with severe liver injury.
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Learn MoreAvelox (moxifloxacin) is an antibiotic sold by Bayer, which was approved in the United States by the FDA in 1999. It is currently sold in more than 80 countries. Avelox is a member of a family of drugs known as fluoroquinolones, which includes other antibiotics such as Levaquin, Cipro, Proquin, and Floxin. They are used to prevent infection by stopping the reproduction of bacteria and are a popular class of medications.
All of the drugs of this class have been linked with an increased risk of tendon ruptures, but the risk appears to be greatest with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Levaquin (levofloxacin). According to reports received by the FDA, Levaquin tendon ruptures accounted for 61% of all fluoroquinolone-associated ruptures between November 1997 and December 2005. However, the drug only accounted for about 45% of all prescriptions written for fluoroquinolones during that time.
Fluoroquinolones, as a group, were also linked to vision problems by a September 2010 study by researchers from the Casey Eye Institute in Oregon. They found that the drugs could cause double vision, a condition that goes away when patients stop taking the drug.
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5 Comments
SusanJanuary 7, 2019 at 9:02 pm
I took one pill Avelox with a few minutes it was like my blood sugar dropped drastically. By morning my Achilles’ tendon was inflamed. Had trouble walking. Saw my doctor he said it was the meds. Didn’t see a specialist for over 3 months then was put into a boot for 3 months. Still having pain. Now , 2 years later the tendon behind my knee in same leg is inflamed and painful. I would never have tak[Show More]I took one pill Avelox with a few minutes it was like my blood sugar dropped drastically. By morning my Achilles’ tendon was inflamed. Had trouble walking. Saw my doctor he said it was the meds. Didn’t see a specialist for over 3 months then was put into a boot for 3 months. Still having pain. Now , 2 years later the tendon behind my knee in same leg is inflamed and painful. I would never have taken this med knowing possible side effects. I was not warned.
MikeJune 28, 2010 at 6:26 pm
I took Avelox for a severe upper respiratory infection three months ago. After taking my first dose, (one got stuck in my chest) I was rushed to the hospital with terrible esophageal spasms. They have not gone away since then. I have gone to the emergency room three times because of this but I dont have insurance. They gave me Nitroglycerin to stop the spasms but every time I take it, I get pain [Show More]I took Avelox for a severe upper respiratory infection three months ago. After taking my first dose, (one got stuck in my chest) I was rushed to the hospital with terrible esophageal spasms. They have not gone away since then. I have gone to the emergency room three times because of this but I dont have insurance. They gave me Nitroglycerin to stop the spasms but every time I take it, I get pain in my chest and back. They said my heart and lungs are fine and I should see a Gastro Specialist immediately.
billApril 16, 2010 at 8:25 pm
I'm 36, work out daily and am in excellent health. After 4 days of Avelox I felt miserable and my heart rate was racing - 90 BPM at rest (vs. 60 normal for me) and immediately rushing to 120 as soon as I stood up. After a few days off the Avelox I returned to normal.
Scott LApril 3, 2010 at 7:50 pm
I was put on Avelox for a upper respiratory infection. 6 days into using the antibiotic I was put into the hospital and was diagnosed with c-diff, and collitis, all because of taking the Avelox. I would advise anyone thinking about taking this antibiotic to not take it.
TomMarch 24, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I have been proscribed this Med. within 2 hours I was having dizzy spells felt disorented adgetated Tremmors ,hakking and unable to function propperly. By the next day I devloped numbness in my fingers and toung. I also had trouble walking and ballance motor functions were off. I still have the numbness in fingers and hands. I am a Phlebotomy Tech. My job Depends on my ability of touch. I am worie[Show More]I have been proscribed this Med. within 2 hours I was having dizzy spells felt disorented adgetated Tremmors ,hakking and unable to function propperly. By the next day I devloped numbness in my fingers and toung. I also had trouble walking and ballance motor functions were off. I still have the numbness in fingers and hands. I am a Phlebotomy Tech. My job Depends on my ability of touch. I am woried will I get my sensation back in my hands?