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Fluoroquinolone tendon risk — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardAdverse Drug Reactions and Drug SafetyFluoroquinolone tendon riskGPhC CRA

A 73-year-old man has been prescribed ciprofloxacin for a resistant UTI. He takes prednisolone 7.5mg daily for COPD and has CKD stage 3. He asks about new Achilles tendon pain that started after the second dose. What would you advise the patient?

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Correct answer: C — Stop ciprofloxacin and seek urgent prescriber advice about tendon injury risk

Fluoroquinolones can cause tendonitis and tendon rupture, with higher risk in older adults, corticosteroid use and renal impairment. New Achilles pain after starting ciprofloxacin should prompt stopping the medicine and urgent prescriber advice for an alternative. Exercise may worsen tendon injury. NSAID use may add renal and gastrointestinal risks.

Reference: MHRA Fluoroquinolone safety advice; BNF Ciprofloxacin