Safety of ciprofloxacin in children: worldwide clinical experience based on compassionate use. Emphasis on joint evaluation.

Six hundred and thirty four adolescents and children aged three days to 17 years treated with ciprofloxacin on a compassionate basis were analysed for drug safety. 62% of the ciprofloxacin courses were given to patients with respiratory tract infection, primarily those with acute pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis. The mean daily oral dose was 25.2 mg/kg body weight. The duration of treatment ranged from one to 880 days (mean 22.8 days). Because of the arthropathogenic potential of quinolones in juvenile animals special emphasis was placed on the evaluation of musculoskeletal adverse events. Arthralgia considered by the treating physicians to be related to ciprofloxacin was reported in eight children, all of whom were females. Arthralgia resolved in all children. Some of these children were given subsequent courses of ciprofloxacin with no complaints of arthralgia. Overall, the safety profile of ciprofloxacin in children is not substantially different from that of adults.