Credit: Medical Xpress
Certain antibiotics may not be an absolute good.
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers found that people who take fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), are 2.4 times more at risk of developing aortic and mitral regurgitation. This is when blood backflows into our hearts.
Physicians have typically preferred Cipro because it has a large spectrum of antibacterial activity with high oral absorption, which proved to be just as effective as having an IV treatment. This allows patients to go home instead of having to stay overnight in a hospital.
Physicians have warned that even though the antibiotics are very effective, they should not be freely prescribed. They should definitely not be prescribed for community-related infections because it could cause antibiotic resistance and serious heart problems.
This is important information for people who have been experiencing cardiac issues but can’t seem to get to the root of the cause. If they are taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, they may have their answer.
People who should be concerned are those who are either actively taking the antibiotic or have recently taken it. This, combined, would be about a 60 day period. If no side effects have been determined past 61 days, these patients do not appear to be at risk for any heart issues.
Researchers hope that the results of their study will bring awareness to physicians when they consider prescribing these kinds of antibiotics to patients. At the very least, aortic and mitral regurgitation should be added to the list of potential side effects. If this is not an antibiotic that needs to be used, physicians should be using many of the other safer antibiotic alternatives.
