Prescribing Advice for GPs

EMEA restrict two quinolone antibiotics

July 25, 2008 at 3:40 pm | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs |  Print | No Comments

The European Medicines Agency has recommended restrictions for two quinolone antibiotics, moxifloxacin and norfloxacin.

The press release for moxifloxacin recommends that this antibiotic should only be prescribed in the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and community-acquired pneumonia when other antibiotics cannot be used or have failed. These recommendations are in response to emerging safety concerns about an increased risk of adverse hepatic reactions. A question and answer document contains information for patients and clinicians.

The press release for norfloxacin recommends that the licence for this antibiotic in the treatment of acute or chronic complicated pyelonephritis be withdrawn because the benefits of these medicines do not outweigh their risks in this indication. Usage in other indications is unaffected. A question and answer document contains information for patients and clinicians.

Action: Clinicians should be aware of the recommendations and ensure that use of these antibiotics falls within the new recommendations.