CJE Open Check Practice Test

Tendon damage is the adverse effect most closely tied to fluoroquinolones. These antibiotics can cause tendinopathy and even rupture of tendons, with the Achilles tendon being the classic site. The risk rises in older adults (often over 60), in people taking corticosteroids, and in patients with certain comorbidities. The mechanism isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to involve disruption of collagen and tendon matrix integrity, making tendons more prone to rupture. If someone on a fluoroquinolone experiences sudden tendon pain, swelling, or an inability to move the affected limb, stop the drug promptly and seek medical evaluation; an alternative antibiotic should be used. While photosensitivity, ototoxicity, and nephrotoxicity can occur with other drugs, the tendon rupture risk is the most characteristic and widely recognized issue specifically associated with fluoroquinolones.