The FDA recently warned that fluoroquinolone antibiotics side effects can include potentially fatal aortic complications after recent research was published between 2015 and 2018.

According to a recent article by CNN, Cipro and other fluoroquinolones have been linked to an increased risk of aortic aneurysms or dissections, which can be potentially fatal if not treated promptly.

This new research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine and also published in BMJ Open, found that fluoroquinolones increased the chances or aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm by a staggering 124 percent and 143 percent.

These studies further found that patients who have previously taken the medications over 60 days beforehand have a 48 percent increased risk of either aortic event.

Patients who face the most risk are elderly age, have high blood pressure, or have a history of aorta complications. In addition, patients who have blockages in blood vessels or are suffering from genetic conditions like Margan Syndrome may also face a higher risk with these fluoroquinolone antibiotics side effects.

The FDA is requiring that aortic aneurysm or dissection be added to the prescribing information and patient medication guides for Cipro and other fluoroquinolones.

“Although the risk of aortic aneurysm or dissection is low, we’ve observed that patients are twice as likely to experience an aortic aneurysm or dissection when prescribed a fluoroquinolone drug. [F]or patients who have an aortic aneurysm or are known to be at risk of an aortic aneurysm, we do not believe the benefits outweigh this risk, and alternative treatment should be considered,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb stated.

The FDA stated it will continue to monitor these safety concerns, with over 20 million fluoroquinolone antibiotics written per year to treat various bacterial infections.

Overview of Fluoroquinolone Side Effects

Cipro and other fluoroquinolones have been on the market for over 30 years, to treat common to severe bacterial infections such as upper respiratory and urinary tract infections. However, fluoroquinolone antibiotics side effects have been concerns in the medical community for years.

For one, these medications have been associated with tendon ruptures and severe collagen damage disorders for years. According to research, scientists speculate that fluoroquinolones may weaken the aortic wall in a similar manner as the tendons.

Aortic aneurysms are unusual enlargements of the aorta, the body’s main artery that stems from the top of the heart and runs all the way down to the abdomen in front of the backbone. While aortic aneurysm can occur anywhere along this area, it most commonly appears in the abdomen and can eventually cause aortic dissections if not treated.

Aortic dissections or tears occur when the inner layer of the aorta tears, which allows blood to enter the aortic wall and “dissect” or separate the inner and middle layers of the aorta. This weakens the outside of the aorta wall, causing a rupture that can be fatal.

Aortic dissection can significantly restrict blood flow, as well, and can cause a heart attack, stroke, and other potentially devastating complications.

The FDA issued a statement on Dec. 20, 2018, which said that aortic aneurysm and dissection would now be included on fluoroquinolone warning labels.