The hidden risks of fluoroquinolones

There are known risks of suicidal ideation with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and the risks of some non-psychotropic drugs, as a result of their complex pharmacokinetics, are becoming increasingly clear. This article examines fluoroquinolones and the risk of the serious adverse effect of suicidal ideation in patients taking them.

Fluoroquinolones include levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ciprofloxacin extended-release tablets, moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin, gemifloxacin (Factive) and delafloxacin (Baxdela). There are also over 60 generic versions of these medications.

A study published late last year in the British Medical Journal (Wang et al, 2022) evaluated the association between the initiation of fluoroquinolones and admissions to hospitals or emergency departments due to onset of suicidal ideation. The study concluded that an association was not apparent between fluoroquinolones and increased risk of hospital admissions or emergency department visits due to suicidal ideation when compared with such admissions for patients taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or azithromycin.