Fluoroquinolones are the antibiotic class most notably associated with the risk of tendon damage, including tendinitis and tendon rupture. These broad-spectrum antibiotics treat various bacterial infections, such as those affecting the respiratory, urinary, and gastrointestinal tracts. What Are The Antibiotics That Can Cause Tendon Damage?

Context Explanation

The fluoroquinolone (fluoroquinolone toxicity) family of antibiotics consisting of Cipro, Ciprofloxacin, Levaquin, Levofloxacin, Ciprodex, and Avelox can commonly cause tendon ruptures in any age group. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are highly effective broad‐spectrum antibiotics that work for a wide variety of infections, but they can have a very negative effect on tendons. They can cause both Achilles tendonitis and spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture in fit and active people. Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics and Tendon Rupture: When It Is and Isn’t a ...

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Moreover, specific antibiotics have been linked to an increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, have been associated with tendon damage, particularly to the Achilles tendon. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, particularly ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, are the antibiotics most strongly associated with Achilles tendon rupture, carrying a black box FDA warning for this serious complication. 1 One of the most well-documented associations is between fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, and tendon injuries. Research indicates that these antibiotics can increase the risk of tendon rupture, particularly in the Achilles tendon (Miller et al., 2014).

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The Scranton Times-Tribune: Steps you can take to avoid a painful Achilles tendon rupture As most sports enthusiasts know, in 2021 golf great Tiger Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon while training at home. In 2023, Aaron Rodgers, a former Green Bay Packers quarterback, did the same in the ... “In our study, fluoroquinolones as a class were not associated with the increased risk of tendon ruptures,” the researchers point out. “Neither ciprofloxacin nor moxifloxacin exhibited any risk for tendon ruptures. Levofloxacin did exhibit significant increased risk. The class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones have been found to create an increased risk of tendon damage.

In May of 2016, the FDA issued its strongest warning yet for anyone using these antibiotics. Conclusions In our study, fluoroquinolones as a class were not associated with the increased risk of tendon ruptures. Neither ciprofloxacin nor moxifloxacin exhibited any risk for tendon ruptures. Levofloxacin did exhibit significant increased risk.