The FDA Gives a Black Box Warning to a Common Class of Antibiotics

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the entire class of fluoroquinolones, a commonly used class of antibiotics, a "black box" warning. A “black box” warning is a statement to doctors and patients that the medication has been linked to a certain severe risk or side effect, but not to the point that the medication needed to be removed from the market. The purpose of the “black box” is to ensure that the prescribing doctor and patient are both aware of the risks of the medication, so that a discussion of these risks can take place.

Fluoroquinolones, which include levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox) and gemifloxacin (Factive), are common antibiotics for the treatment of sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and other infections. This class of antibiotic has been associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, especially in people taking steroids at the same time.

Learn more about the FDA's newest warning, as well as other commonly used allergy and asthma medications that carry a "black box" warning:

• Advair's Black Box Warning
• Xolair's Black Box Warning
• Elidel/Protopic's Black Box Warning