Achilles Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture Due to Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics

Abstract

To the Editor: Tendinitis and tendon rupture are unusual and unexpected side effects of drugs1,2. An 85-year-old man had been treated for polymyalgia rheumatica with prednisone. His condition improved in the next three months, and the dose of prednisone was reduced to 15 mg per day. Two weeks later a urologist prescribed enoxacin (two 200-mg tablets twice a day) for a urinary tract infection. On the seventh day of enoxacin therapy, pain developed in both calves radiating to the heels. The patient noted mild swelling in the lower extremities. On examination a week later he had difficulty walking . . .