Ciprofloxacin safety in a pediatric population.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a retrospective study primarily to estimate the risk of musculoskeletal toxicities associated with ciprofloxacin administration in a pediatric population. In addition risks of hepatic and renal disorders associated with ciprofloxacin therapy were calculated.


METHODS
Adverse events in this study were restricted to those that required physician referral or hospitalization and occurred within 45 days of receiving a prescription for ciprofloxacin. From 2 resource databases, > 1700 patients < or = 17 years who received at least 1 ciprofloxacin prescription were identified between January, 1988, and December, 1993.


RESULTS
In this population there were no cases of newly diagnosed acute arthritis or serious liver or kidney disease that were likely ciprofloxacin-induced. One patient was diagnosed with hemolytic-uremic syndrome, which may have been exacerbated by ciprofloxacin therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Surveillance of ciprofloxacin usage in a pediatric population failed to demonstrate serious or unusually high rates of any adverse events, including joint toxicity.
Jick
S
S
Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program, Boston University Medical Center, Lexington, MA 02173, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin