FLUOROQUINOLONES

Aug. 24, 2018

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is planning to issue changes in labelling for “fluoroquinolones”, a class of antibiotic drugs.

About:

Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that are commonly used to treat a variety of illnesses such as respiratory and urinary tract infections. But, like other antibiotics they do not treat viral infections such as colds or flu.
Fluoroquinolones include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin).
Various fluoroquinolones are available in India. E.g. Norfloxacin is sold under different brand names by different companies in India: Norflox by Cipla, Enflox by Sun Pharmaceuticals, Norflot by Natco Pharma, etc.
CDSCO is planning labelling changes following similar action taken by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in July 2018 “to strengthen the warnings about the risks of mental health side effects and serious blood sugar disturbances.”