Some oral antibiotics linked with severe skin and organ reactions

Embargoed until:

Publicly released:

2024-08-09 01:00

Peer-reviewedObservational studyCase studyPeopleWhat do these mean?Peer-reviewed: This work was reviewed and scrutinised by relevant independent experts.Observational study: A study in which the subject is observed to see if there is a relationship between two or more things (eg: the consumption of diet drinks and obesity). Observational studies cannot prove that one thing causes another, only that they are linked.Case study: A study involving observations of a single patient or group of patients.People: This is a study based on research using people.

Canadian scientists who looked at the health records of around a million people say that, compared to antibiotics called macrolides, some other commonly prescribed oral antibiotics, particularly sulfonamides and cephalosporins, are linked with an increased risk of serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs), potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions affecting the skin and internal organs. Of the million people, around 22,000 had been hospitalised with cADRs after taking antibiotics. The link was strongest for sulfonamides and cephalosporins, but links were also seen for penicillins, nitrofurantoin and fluoroquinolones. Doctors should prescribe lower-risk macrolide antibiotics whenever possible, the authors conclude.

Journal/conference: JAMA

Link to research (DOI): 10.1001/jama.2024.11437

Organisation/s: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada

Funder: The study was supported by the
Canadian Institute for Health Research. The study was conducted at ICES, which is funded in part by
an annual grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health
and the Ministry of Long-Term Care. Dr Lee received
research scholarship from the Eliot Phillipson
Clinician Scientist Training Program at the
University of Toronto and a Canada Graduate
Scholarship during the study. Dr Gomes holds a
Canada Research Chair in Drug Policy Research and
Evaluation, through which she receives salary
support. Dr Juurlink is supported by an award from
the Mak Pak Chiu and Mak-Soo Lai Hing Chair in
General Internal Medicine at the University of
Toronto.

Media release

From: JAMA

Oral Antibiotics and Risk of Serious Cutaneous Adverse Drug ReactionsAbout The Study: Commonly prescribed oral antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions compared with macrolides, with sulfonamides and cephalosporins carrying the highest risk. Prescribers should preferentially use lower-risk antibiotics when clinically appropriate.

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