Fluoroquinolones: What They Are, Risks, and Alternatives

When you hear fluoroquinolones, a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sinusitis. Also known as FQs, they include drugs like ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin—once considered go-to treatments for stubborn infections. But over the last decade, safety warnings from the FDA and other health agencies have changed how doctors think about these drugs. They’re not just another pill. Fluoroquinolones can cause serious, sometimes permanent side effects that affect tendons, nerves, muscles, and even your heart’s rhythm.

One of the biggest red flags is QT prolongation, a heart rhythm disturbance that can lead to dangerous arrhythmias. This isn’t rare—it’s documented in multiple studies, especially in people with existing heart conditions or those taking other drugs that affect the heart, like hydroxyzine or certain antifungals. Another hidden risk is tendon rupture, particularly in the Achilles tendon, which can happen even after stopping the drug. And then there’s peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage that causes burning, tingling, or numbness, sometimes lasting years. These aren’t side effects you can ignore. They’re why many doctors now reserve fluoroquinolones for infections that absolutely won’t respond to safer options.

What makes this even trickier is that fluoroquinolones are often prescribed when they’re not needed. A simple sinus infection or bronchitis? Most of the time, it’s viral. Antibiotics won’t help—and with fluoroquinolones, the risks far outweigh any benefit. Even when bacteria are involved, alternatives like amoxicillin, doxycycline, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole often work just as well with fewer dangers. The key isn’t just picking the strongest antibiotic. It’s picking the right one for your body, your history, and your actual infection.

That’s why the posts here focus on real-world comparisons, safety alerts, and alternatives. You’ll find breakdowns of how fluoroquinolones stack up against other antibiotics, what symptoms to watch for, and which patients should avoid them completely. There are also deep dives into how these drugs interact with others—like grapefruit juice or heart medications—that can make side effects worse. If you’ve been prescribed a fluoroquinolone and feel unsure, or if you’ve had strange symptoms after taking one, this collection gives you the facts you need to talk to your doctor—and maybe push back.