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Warning:Antibiotic "Tequin" Linked to Potentially Fatal Blood Sugar Complications Canadian Researchers found at least 69 deaths attributable.

Canadian Researchers, in a study published March 30,2006, in the New England Journal of Medicine, find potentially fatal elevated risk of blood-sugar swings even in patients without diabetes. Study found 69 deaths attributable to high or low blood sugar levels.

Quoted from New England Journal Article - March 30, 2006:

Outpatient Gatifloxacin Therapy and Dysglycemia in Older Adults

Laura Y. Park-Wyllie, Pharm.D., David N. Juurlink, M.D., Ph.D., Alexander Kopp, B.A., Baiju R. Shah, M.D., Ph.D., Therese A. Stukel, Ph.D., Carmine Stumpo, Pharm.D., Linda Dresser, Pharm.D., Donald E. Low, M.D., and Muhammad M. Mamdani, Pharm.D., M.P.H.

ABSTRACT

Background Gatifloxacin has been associated with both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. We examined dysglycemia-related health outcomes associated with various antibiotics in a population of approximately 1.4 million Ontario, Canada, residents 66 years of age or older.

Methods We conducted two population-based, nested case-control studies. In the first, case patients were persons treated in the hospital for hypoglycemia after outpatient treatment with a macrolide, a second-generation cephalosporin, or a respiratory fluoroquinolone (gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, or ciprofloxacin). In the second, case patients were persons who received hospital care for hyperglycemia. For each case patient, we identified up to five controls matched according to age, sex, the presence or absence of diabetes, and the timing of antibiotic therapy.

Results Between April 2002 and March 2004, we identified 788 patients treated for hypoglycemia within 30 days after antibiotic therapy. As compared with macrolide antibiotics, gatifloxacin was associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia (adjusted odds ratio, 4.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.9 to 6.3). Levofloxacin was also associated with a slightly increased risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.2 to 2.0), but no such risk was seen with moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, or cephalosporins. We then identified 470 patients treated for hyperglycemia within 30 days after antibiotic therapy. As compared with macrolides, gatifloxacin was associated with a considerably increased risk of hyperglycemia (adjusted odds ratio, 16.7; 95 percent confidence interval, 10.4 to 26.8), but no risk was noted with the other antibiotics. Risks were similar in the two studies regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes.

Conclusions As compared with the use of other broad-spectrum oral antibiotics, including other fluoroquinolones, the use of gatifloxacin among outpatients is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital treatment for both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of taking the antibiotic Tequin, the Tequin injury attorneys in our firm can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Americans increasingly rely on over the counter and prescription medications to deal with their health concerns. If you have had a bad reaction to a medication that was prescribed to you by your physician you may be able to make a claim against the manufacturer.

There are complicated laws governing the types of claims that can be made in dangerous drug or defective products cases, and proving that a prescribed medication was defective is a complex task. It requires attorneys with experience in prosecuting dangerous drug cases as well as testimony from experts in the pharmaceutical field.

The attorneys at Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen have the resources and experience it takes to successfully pursue a harmful drug claim.

We invite you to call 1-866-218-3776 to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney at GJEL if you or a loved one has been injured. We provide free consultations, and we're paid only when we win your claim. You'll pay no fees if we don't obtain a verdict or settlement for you.

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Tequin In The News

Drug Company Taking Tequin Off Market - ABC News - USA

Bristol-Myers Squibb Says Problem-Plagued Antibiotic Tequin to Come Off the Market

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

WASHINGTON May 1, 2006 (AP)— An antibiotic plagued by serious blood-sugar complications is coming off the market.

Bristol-Myers Squibb confirmed Monday that it plans to stop making and selling Tequin.

Spokesman Eric Miller said the company will return rights to the drug to Kyorin Pharmaceutical Company in Japan. He said the company acted after an evaluation of the product as well as ongoing transition in the company's focus.

To read the entire article, click here.

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