Some oral antibiotics linked with severe skin and organ reactions

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Canadian scientists who looked at the health records of around a million people say that, compared to antibiotics called macrolides, some other commonly prescribed oral antibiotics, particularly sulfonamides and cephalosporins, are linked with an increased risk of serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs), potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions affecting the skin and internal organs. Of the million people, around 22,000 had been hospitalised with cADRs after taking antibiotics. The link was strongest for sulfonamides and cephalosporins, but links were also seen for penicillins, nitrofurantoin and fluoroquinolones. Doctors should prescribe lower-risk macrolide antibiotics whenever possible, the authors conclude.

Media release

From: JAMA

Oral Antibiotics and Risk of Serious Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions

About The Study: Commonly prescribed oral antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions compared with macrolides, with sulfonamides and cephalosporins carrying the highest risk. Prescribers should preferentially use lower-risk antibiotics when clinically appropriate.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada

Funder: The study was supported by the Canadian Institute for Health Research. The study was conducted at ICES, which is funded in part by an annual grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Long-Term Care. Dr Lee received research scholarship from the Eliot Phillipson Clinician Scientist Training Program at the University of Toronto and a Canada Graduate Scholarship during the study. Dr Gomes holds a Canada Research Chair in Drug Policy Research and Evaluation, through which she receives salary support. Dr Juurlink is supported by an award from the Mak Pak Chiu and Mak-Soo Lai Hing Chair in General Internal Medicine at the University of Toronto.

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