Quinolone-associated tendonitis: a potential problem in COPD?

BACKGROUND

Quinolones have traditionally had limited application in the area of community-acquired respiratory tract infections due to poor cover against Streptococcus pneumoniae. This trend is changing with the broader spectrum of newer fluoroquinolones. A rare serious side effect of fluoroquinolones is tendinopathy.

AIMS: This study describes two cases of levofloxacin-associated tendinopathy in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the implications and mechanisms involved are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of two cases of levofloxacin-induced tendinopathy in our patients suggests that the problem may be more frequent than previously considered. Patients with COPD treated with fluoroquinolones may have other risk factors for tendinopathy such as advanced age, corticosteroid use and renal impairment and merit vigilance for signs of tendonitis.