Caution: Serious Side Effects From Popular Antibiotics

Fluoroquinolones are an important class of antibiotics. The best known are Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Avelox (moxifloxacin). In 2010, Levaquin was the best-selling antibiotic in the United States.

In addition to occasional unwanted effects on the musculoskeletal, visual and renal systems, fluoroquinolones in rare cases can seriously injure the central nervous system (causing “brain fog,” depression, hallucinations and psychotic reactions), the heart, liver, skin (painful, disfiguring rashes and phototoxicity), the gastrointestinal system (nausea and diarrhea), hearing and blood sugar metabolism.

NYT: Popular Antibiotics May Carry Serious Side Effects