Ciprofloxacin in general practice

EDITOR, - The Lesson of the week by Roland J Korner and colleagues highlighted the dangers of fluoroquinolones.1 We have also noted that patients with chest infections have been treated with ciprofloxacin in general practice; the slower resolution of their Streptococcus pneumoniae infection required a change of antimicrobial agent, and one patient died.

We understand, however, that ciprofloxacin is not promoted as first line treatment in general practice for community acquired chest infections, but some general practitioners in our area have provided promotional material …