ADVERSE DRUG-REACTIONS WITH FLUOROQUINOLONES

The French system of drug surveillance has analysed the notifications of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to fluoroquinolones since they were l aunched. Their frequency ranges from 1/15000 to 1/208000 case per days of treatment. Cutaneous diseases and tendon disorders predominate in France whereas cutaneous effects and neuropsychiatric disorders are pr edominant in tile UR; tendon disorders take up only the 5th position, Among the most unexpected ADRs are the following: - shock represents 3 3 of the anaphylaxis reactions which range from 1/5.6 x 10(6) to 1/4.4 x 10(5) case per days of treatment. - acute renal failure is rare: on e case/80000 patients treated bg ciprofloxacin to 1/320000 by norfloxa cin. The pathophysiology is not well known. Tendon ruptures represent SI cases for 921 notifications of tendon disorders which are related i n decreasing order to pefloxacin 1/23130 case per days of treatment, o floxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin 1/779600 case per daps of trea tment. Age and corticosteroids increase the risk of tendon rupture.