To Protect Patients, Follow Clinical Guidelines When Prescribing Fluoroquinolones

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently strengthened its black box warning regarding fluoroquinolone use

Appropriate fluoroquinolone prescribing is important for patient safety. A recent study published inClinical Infectious Diseases

reports that fluoroquinolones are commonly prescribed for conditions when antibiotics are not needed at all, or when fluoroquinolones are not the recommended first-line therapy.

Improving antibiotic prescribing is important to prevent serious adverse events and potentially life-threatening Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)infections. Healthcare providers can protect their patients and give the best care by prescribing fluoroquinolones only when they’re the recommended therapy for a patient’s illness.

CDC recently released a Medscape Expert Commentary to provide support and guidance for healthcare providers as they weigh the risks and benefits of prescribing fluoroquinolones.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated its black box warning to include the association between fluoroquinolones and disabling and potentially permanent side effects. The updated warning urges healthcare providers to limit fluoroquinolone use in patients with less serious bacterial infections.

In a recent Safe Healthcare Blog, guest author Rachel Brummert of Patient Safety Impact shares her experience with adverse events related to fluoroquinolones that were prescribed unnecessarily.

To learn more about optimizing antibiotic prescribing and use, visit: https://go.usa.gov/xU6R3.

Healthcare providers: Thinking of a fluoroquinolone? Prescribe only when they’re the recommended first line therapy for a patient’s illness. Watch new #Medscape Expert Commentary: #BeAntibioticsAware https://wb.md/2zU5c3J