Fluoroquinolones photosensitivity with

The more common adverse effects seen with the administration of these dm include nausea, diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain or discomfort, and dizziness. A more serious adverse reaction seen with the administration of the fluoroquinolones, especially lomefloxacin and sparfloxacin, is a photosensitivity reaction. This is manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction when the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight or sunlamps. 

The fluoroquinolones are contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to the fluoroquinolones, in children younger than 18 years, and in pregnant women (Pregnancy Category C). These drugs also are contraindicated in patients whose life-styles do not allow for adherence to the precautions regarding photosensitivity. 

Fluoroquinolones are extremely well tolerated. The most common effects are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Occasionally, headache, dizziness, insomnia, skin rash, or abnormal liver function tests develop. Photosensitivity has been reported with lomefloxacin and pefloxacin. QTC prolongation may occur with gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin, which should be avoided or used with caution in patients with known QTC interval prolongation or uncorrected... 

Drug-induced photosensitivity reactions are divided into phototoxicity (a nonimmunologic reaction) and photoallergic reactions (an immunologic reaction). The latter form is far less common. Medications associated with photosensitivity reactions include fluoroquinolones, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, phenothiazines, antihistamines, estrogens, progestins, sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, thiazide diuretics, and tricyclic antidepressants. 

Photosensitivity is a common adverse effect of the fluoroquinolones. It results from an abnormal reaction of the skin to natural or artificial light sources, usually associated with the UVA part of the electromagnetic spectrum (315-400 nm), mediated by the absorption of light energy into fluoroquinolones, followed by degradation of the molecule and formation of cytotoxic photoproducts (64). 

Sparfloxacin is a fluoroquinolone with activity against the major respiratory pathogens and atypical pathogens that cause pneumonia. Photosensitivity, nausea, and diarrhea have been the most common adverse events reported in trials, and sparfloxacin is contraindicated in patients with QT interval prolongation (1). 

Hallucinations, photosensitivity reactions and Achilles tendon rupture have been associated with fluoroquinolone use in humans but have not been reported in animals. 

---