Pfizer warned European doctors May 26 that patients taking its popular antibiotic, Trovan, have suffered rare but dangerous cases of liver damage. U.S. officials also are investigating. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the reports of liver damage were serious, and the agency is meeting with Pfizer to evaluate the risks.

Since February 1998, 140 cases of serious liver damage have been reported among Trovan users, Pfizer said. Most users recovered after they stopped taking the antibiotic. But eight patients either died or required a liver transplant.

In the United States, Pfizer is discussing the liver damage cases with the FDA. The FDA believes they are serious and the labeling information should be upgraded. The U.S. label for Trovan advises doctors to periodically monitor patients’ livers because some people experienced abnormal liver tests, an early warning sign of damage, during studies of Trovan.

Trovan, known chemically as trovafloxacin, treats a range of infections, from pneumonia and sinusitis to surgical infections and gonorrhea. It also is used to prevent infections in people about to undergo colorectal surgery or hysterectomy.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Trovan is an excellent fluroquinolone antibiotic and I am certain has saved many lives. However, one needs to be hyper vigilant with drugs and never forget that drugs that doctors prescribe are the fourth leading cause of death in the country.