Studies have shown that a common antibiotic may increase the risk of nerve injury in patients

Recently, research from Dundee University has shown that a common antibiotic may increase the risk of severe and possibly permanent nerve injury by nearly 50% Researchers led by Dr Daniel Morales of the University School of medicine looked at a database of 1.3 million adults who prescribed one or more fluoroquinolones or amoxicillin clavulanic acid antibiotics but did not diagnose peripheral neuropathy at the start of the treatment The researchers found that systemic fluoroquinolones currently used appear to increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy by 47%, resulting in an increase of 2.4 cases per 10000 patients per year People who prescribed amoxicillin clavulanate were not significantly more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy The study found that men were at higher risk and increased with age and longer treatment with fluoroquinolones (http://www.chemdrug.com/) After six months of fluoroquinolones, it is still possible to diagnose peripheral neuropathy Older men, the group most likely to have the condition after 28 days of fluoroquinolones, are 34, 000 times more likely to have it Dr Morales said that while the absolute risk of diagnosing peripheral neuropathy remains low, the findings should be considered as one of the different potential side effects until antibiotics are prescribed