News Briefs: Postal workers see side effects from Cipro
Hundreds of postal employees who used ciprofloxacin (Cipro) for antimicrobial prophylaxis have reported adverse reactions.
More than 5,800 postal workers reported the adverse reactions in questionnaires administered to them in New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia 7-10 days after they received the antibiotics. The results were published in the Nov. 30 issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Of the 3,428 people on ciprofloxacin, 666 (19%) reported severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain; 484 (14%) reported fainting, light-headedness, or dizziness; 250 (7%) reported heartburn or acid reflux; and 216 (6%) reported rashes, hives, or itchy skin. Of those taking ciprofloxacin, 287 (8%) discontinued the medication; 116 (3%) discontinued the medication because of adverse events, 27 (1%) discontinued because of fear of possible adverse events, and 28 (1%) stopped taking the drug because they "did not think it was needed."
Only 2% of the postal employees on any medication for antimicrobial prophylaxis sought medical attention for symptoms that may have been associated with anaphylaxis.
Among the 33 people who sought medical attention for these symptoms in New Jersey and New York City, none were hospitalized and none of the symptoms were attributed to antimicrobial prophylaxis by clinicians who evaluated these people. Follow-up of postal employees in the District of Columbia who sought medical attention for symptoms that may have been associated with anaphylaxis is ongoing.
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