Whos minding the (drug)store?
The label for Levaquin includes information that is typical for fluoroquinolones: “Convulsions and toxic psychoses have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including levofloxacin. Quinolones may also cause … tremors, restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, dizziness, confusion and hallucinations, paranoia, depression, nightmares, insomnia and, rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts. These reactions may occur following the first dose.” In, 2004 the FDA issued a new warning on fluoroquinolones, stating that treatment should be stopped if patients felt strange neurological symptoms like “pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness … in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition.” In 2005-06, the Illinois Attorney general and the group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to add a so-called “black box” warning to packages, this one regarding the danger of tendon rupture, a well-documented effect of the drugs. So far, no action has been taken. Jay Cohen res
