FDA Strengthens Fluoroquinolone Warnings, Facial Paralysis Surgeon Responds to Nerve Damage Risk
Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) September 02, 2013 -- An article published August 27, 2013, on WebMD.com reported that the FDA has just strengthened its warning that fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause peripheral neuropathy, or permanent nerve damage. Beverly Hills facial paralysis surgeon Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS, responds to these new warnings.
“I am glad to hear that the FDA has strengthened the warnings for this common family of antibiotics. Patients have a right to know all of the possible side effects before taking any medication,” said Dr. Azizzadeh.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and several others are regularly prescribed by doctors to treat urinary tract and respiratory infections. The article reports that over 23 million people were prescribed fluoroquinolones in 2011 alone. A possible side effect of these medications, peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that affects the nerves sending information from the spinal cord and brain to the entire body.
“Depending on the specific nerve that is injured, symptoms of the damage, as well as the part of the body affected, will vary. We have known for quite some time that peripheral neuropathy was a possible side effect of these antibiotics, but reports of permanent nerve damage led the FDA to the conclusion that its old warnings were not sufficient,” explained Dr. Azizzadeh.
Dr. Azizzadeh is a world-renowned facial paralysis surgeon in Beverly Hills who is known for his innovative treatment of facial nerve damage and facial paralysis.
“Any patient who experiences peripheral neuropathy that affects the facial nerve should seek treatment from a facial nerve expert. Tingling, numbness, weakness, and paralysis are the most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and should be addressed right away,” said Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, facial nerve specialist.
Since his extensive and prestigious training at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Azizzadeh has helped hundreds of people with varying degrees of facial paralysis. Dr. Azizzadeh is the director of the Facial Paralysis Institute and one of the leading figures in the field of Facial Nerve Paralysis. Dr. Azizzadeh has been recognized for his work on several occasions, and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and countless other media outlets.
Dr. Azizzadeh is trained in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Head & Neck Surgery, giving him a distinctive insight into facial nerve function and facial aesthetics. Dr. Azizzadeh also has extensive training in microsurgical facial reconstruction, which is often required for the treatment of people who are born with facial paralysis.
For more information on peripheral neuropathy, contact the Facial Paralysis Institute at (310) 657-2203.
Risa Luksa, The Facial Paralysis Institute, http://www.facialparalysisinstitute.com/, 310-657-2203, [email protected]
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