It is a new “health scandal” that many patients have decided to point the finger at following having been victims of side effects, very serious in some cases or quite heavy in the majority of cases. They now want to file a complaint.
He will be upset, Ciflox or Tavanic, you may have seen or heard of these drugs on the market. All have one thing in common, they are part of the fluoroquinolones, a family of antibiotics normally reserved for the most serious bacterial infections.
“More than 6 million people concerned in four years”. These are the figures identified by an association of patients and victims, relayed by our colleagues from France Info, this Monday, March 13.
But what are the risks of this drug? Under what conditions should it be prescribed? We asked a few questions to Doctor Hervé Caël, general practitioner and President of the Regional Council of the Order of Physicians of the South region.
When should these drugs be prescribed?
For Hervé Caël, the subject is not really recent. “It must be understood and highlighted that the problem is mainly related to the fact of prescribing this category antibiotics in first intention and not in second intention, whereas it is supposed to be used for the most serious forms of infection” he explains.
It is a family of very strong antibiotics supposed to be reserved for “serious infectious diseases”. First of all, antibiotics should always be preferred “common use”.
Therefore, the category of antibiotic involved in this case involves prescriptions that should not be taken lightly: “Doctors must take into account the patient’s profile, whether the latter has comorbidities or not, whether his health is already fragile, whether treatments have already been prescribed before to combat the infection of which he is a victim. emphasizes the GP.
It is therefore a very specific process that one must go through before prescribing this type of antibiotic.
Serious side effects, antibiotic resistance… What are the risks?
In addition to the risk of “antibiotic resistance”, which reduces the effectiveness of other antibiotics therefollowing, there are many side effects.
“The side effects are significant, it’s a fact” recognizes Hervé Cael. They can be different depending on the person. “This type of treatment can lead to neuromuscular effects, such as tendon ruptures, for example, This is why it is recommended to limit physical activity as much as possible..
Other effects have also been noted by the doctor, including vascular problems that can occur when taking fluoroquinolones, “it can go as far as the rupture of the aorta” says doctor Hervé Caël.
So how to make the decision to prescribe such a dangerous drug? “To prescribe such a treatment, doctors will balance the benefits and risks of using this category of antibiotics. he says.
Excessive prescriptions?
“In recent years, it is certain that certain prescriptions have been a little abusive”. Indeed, it has happened that fluoroquinolones have been prescribed for infections that are too minor and even sometimes in prevention! Which is far from being recommended and suitable. “People who went to exotic countries took this type of antibiotic to avoid and prevent any infections or diarrhea problems”explains the President of the Regional Council of the Order of Physicians.
Towards a drug ban?
“There is as much danger in taking this antibiotic when it is not necessary as not taking it when it is necessary” supports Dr. Cael.
For the moment, no alarming position on the subject and no actual ban, just a reminder of the prescription conditions. “Like all antibiotic treatments, if fluoroquinolones are prescribed, do not interrupt treatment! It is important to finish it, like all conventional antibiotic treatments. You have to respect the number of days.” he recalled.
The GP adds that it is also important to “do not self-medicate” and in the same way, “Do not put pressure on your doctor. We see some people arrive at the emergency room when they already have a prescription from a general practitioner, asking for antibiotics or another stronger treatment, not seeing any immediate effect”.
In total, a dozen patients decided to take legal action, with among them, the Paris public health center and the Versailles prosecutor’s office. All file a complaint once morest their doctors and once morest X. They demand the opening of a criminal investigation to establish the responsibility of the health authorities in this affair.
