[Tendinitis of the Achilles tendon caused by pefloxacin and other fluoroquinolone derivatives].

Four cases were reported to the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Foundation LAREB of Achilles tendinitis, as a suspected adverse reaction to pefloxacin; the patients were two men of 64 years old, one of 33 and one of 76 years old. More than twenty cases of tendinitis have previously been described in the literature in association with pefloxacin and various other fluoroquinolone derivatives; tendon rupture was a frequent complication. In the data base of the WHO Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring tendon disorders are a very rare reaction, with the exception of fluoroquinolone derivatives. More information is needed with regard to the frequency of tendinopathy during the use of pefloxacin and the other drugs in this group. Achilles tendon rupture is an serious condition, often requiring surgical treatment. Patients using a fluoroquinolone derivative should be informed of the risk of developing tendinitis and tendon rupture.