KASIC Patient Case: Confusion with Antibiotics
An 80 year old man 👴 is diagnosed with cystitis and given an antibiotic 💊. After 3 days he begins complaining of muscle aches and after 4 days is experiencing new confusion. What antibiotic was he most likely prescribed?
A) Amoxicillin-clavulanate
B) Ciprofloxacin
C) Nitrofurantoin
How did others respond?
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Best Answer
Ciprofloxacin Fluoroquinolones have numerous adverse effects including myopathies which may progress to tendon rupture.
Explanation: They can also cause neurotoxicity. Confusion is typically reversible when the drug is stopped but neurotoxicity may also manifest as peripheral neuropathy, seizures, or even suicidal ideation. Elderly patients are at higher risk of adverse effects of fluoroquinolones. The FDA recommends to use alternative antibiotics when available in this patient population
Though they have a place in our antibiotic toolbox 🧰, remember to question a quinolone!