MHRA Fluoroquinolone warning

Many of you will already be aware, but we would like to highlight that the MHRA has recently issued further guidance on the prescribing of Fluoroquinolones, imposing tighter restrictions than those previously in place. Due to the potential for causing long lasting (up to months or years), disabling and potentially irreversible side effects, fluoroquinolones should only be prescribed when other antibiotics are inappropriate.

Some fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin for example, are regularly prescribed in children. Please familiarise yourself with the updated warning and review practice in your locality, bearing in mind that in some cases a fluoroquinolone may still be the most appropriate option (for example in a cystic fibrosis patient with pseudomonas infection, ciprofloxacin may  be the only oral antibiotic available).