Antibiotics Concerns

Fluoroquinolones are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antibiotics. They are very powerful medications often wrongly given as a first line of defense against a wide variety of routine infections.
All antibiotics have side effects. What differentiates this class of antibiotics from others is its ability to cause severe adverse reactions that can disable patients and even cause death. You can review a list of patient-reported adverse reactions on our Quinolones 101 page .
For some, reactions to fluoroquinolones can occur from as little as one pill. For others, reactions can occur weeks, months, or even longer after taking the drugs. Often, patients and even medical professionals do not suspect that these antibiotics could be the cause, as symptoms can often mimic other medical conditions.
Approximately half of the fluoroquinolones that were once on the market have now been removed from clinical practice due to their severe toxicities. Although warnings and cautionary information exist, doctors continue to prescribe this class of antibiotics for infections they were never intended to treat. As a result, many patients continue to unnecessarily suffer devastating disabilities.
Tonight we will hear from patients and advocates from the quinolone vigilence foundation. They believe that every fluoroquinolone prescription should be accompanied by full disclose of the risk for lifelong disability so that patients can make informed choices. To ensure that this information reaches patients, the FDA should add additional warnings to the drug packaging and finally require that a Dear Doctor letter go out to every physician in the United States, warning them of the risks to their patients
Also, learn other natural ways to control infections so that you are less reliant on antibiotics. Tonights show will keep you how to prevent the need for antibiotics as well as minimize their harm.