Study warns of broader Tequin health risks
An upcoming study in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that patients taking the antibiotic Tequin are at risk for potentially deadly side effects, regardless of prior health conditions. The study, which will be published in the NEJM later this month, was released early on the Internet due to its public health implications.
Tequin is used as an antibiotic to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, gonorrhea and various infections. Although previous studies have warned of Tequin’s dangers to patients with diabetes because of its effects on blood sugar, the new study shows that even healthy patients are vulnerable to these Tequin side effects.
Canadian researchers found that patients treated with Tequin were four times more likely to be treated for low blood sugar, compared to those treated with older antibiotics. Even more seriously, patients taking Tequin were 17 times more likely to have side effects of high blood sugar. These risks were present whether or not the patients had diabetes. Additional Tequin side effects include liver disease, gastrointestinal disease and central nervous system reactions, such as convulsions or seizures.