Antibiotic Gets Stronger FDA Warning

February 2006

An antibiotic designed to fight infections may cause some dangerous side effects, claims the Food and Drug Administration. Tequin, an antibiotic manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, will now carry stronger warnings about a risk of life-threatening events caused by the drug’s effect on blood sugar.

The FDA received reports that patients taking Tequin had serious cases of hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, and hyperglycemia, otherwise known as high blood sugar. Typically, Tequin is prescribed for the treatment of pneumonia, bronchitis and other serious infections.

Currently the drug is no longer recommended for people with diabetes. The new stronger warnings will provide additional information to doctors about the types of patients more likely to have blood sugar problems such as older people and patients with kidney problems.

For more information about dangerous drugs, visit the Dangerous Drug Legal Center.