english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2010 > In the June issue of Prescrire International: Neuropsychological effects of macrolides

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Summary

Pharmacovigilance data collected from several European countries show that macrolides can provoke neuropsychological adverse effects such as hallucinations, delirium, manic episodes and sometimes depression, in both adults and children.
These effects seem to be rare and are reversible on macrolide withdrawal
In practice, when a patient presents with recent-onset neuropsychological disorders, it is important to bear in mind the possible role of a drug, including non-psychotropic drugs, particularly macrolides.
It is better to avoid exposing patients to these types of adverse effects when the risk-benefit balance of the drug in question is clearly unfavourable, as is the case with telithromycin.

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