Fluoroquinolone-Induced Seizure in a Patient Receiving End-of-Life Care: A Case Report

When caring for patients nearing the end of live (EOL), healthcare providers must carefully assess the potential benefits and drawbacks of common medical interventions, such as starting antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic use during this stage can be a challenging and multifaceted situation, encompassing important clinical, social, and ethical considerations. While physicians may be motivated to prescribe antibiotics to terminally ill patients in hopes of prolonging survival and alleviating symptoms, it’s crucial to recognize that these drugs can have significant implications for individuals at the EOL. Factors like advanced age, frailty, and multiple medication use make these patients more vulnerable to adverse events caused by antibiotics. For instance, fluoroquinolones, a specific type of antibiotics, have been linked to central nervous system toxicity and neurological side effects, including seizures. Geriatric patients, who often have underlying risk factors, are particularly susceptible to fluoroquinolone-induced seizures. However, there have also been reports of otherwise healthy individuals experiencing seizures as a result of fluoroquinolone use. This report sheds light on the complexities associated with initiating antibiotic therapy in patients nearing the EOL.