Quoted from http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2010/03/22/avelox-antibiotic-liver-health-canada.html
Antibiotic Avelox may be linked to rare liver injury
Last Updated: Monday, March 22, 2010 | 1:03 PM ET
CBC News
The antibiotic Avelox may be linked to a rare but potentially life-threatening liver injury, Health Canada warns.
Avelox, or moxifloxacin, is used to treat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections, including respiratory illnesses.
"Health Canada has conducted a safety review and concluded that Avelox may be associated with the rare but potentially life-threatening risk of liver injury, including liver failure," the department said in a release Monday.
Symptoms of liver problems include:
- Abdominal pain.
- Loss of appetite.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Severe itching.
- Dark urine.
- Pale-coloured stools.
"Patients who experience any of these symptoms are advised to stop taking Avelox and contact a health-care professional immediately," Health Canada advised.
Drug maker Bayer Inc. is updating the product label to draw attention to the potential side-effect, the regulator said.
Avelox is a quinolone type antibiotic and can be taken by tablet form or given as an injection.
Patients with questions or concerns regarding the use of Avelox should talk to their pharmacist or physician, Health Canada said.
