Floxed Resources
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What does “floxed” mean?
Being “floxed” was coined by individuals injured by fluoroquinolone antibiotics that have names such as ciproFLOXacin and levoFLOXacin. We consider ourselves floxies! Welcome to the club none of us wanted to be apart of, sorry you’re here. You’re not alone.
How does an antibiotic damage the physical body like this?
Fluoroquinolones are made using a fluoride atom in their chemical structure. Fluoride is capable of breaching the cell membrane and affecting the mitochondrial function. The body begins to degenerate instead of regenerate. Skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems are all heavily affected.
Part of the musculoskeletal effects are the degeneration of tendons and other connective tissue, resulting in tears and ruptures. It affects the central nervous system and causes mental health side effects like hallucinations, derealisation, thoughts of not wanting to be alive, body tremors, small fiber neuropathy and much more.
Can’t you just go to a doctor and tell them all of this?
This is the most infuriating part about this entire situation. If you’re floxed, you’ve probably already been through the ringer of emergency rooms and primary care doctors brushing aside your concerns. Trying to pin your symptoms on a “pre existing” autoimmune disorder, blaming stress and even weight. In any case, there is a disconnect of true understanding about what these medications are doing to our bodies.
It becomes dangerous when these medications are degenerating our bodies at a rapid and debilitating pace. Things like steroids, MRI’s with contrast and NSAIDs are capable of further degenerating multiple body systems and are usually the first suggested options.
If you know someone who is floxed and apprehensive of seeing doctors in any capacity, there is good reason. Be patient and supportive as they navigate how to move forward with finding a health care provider they can trust. Our bodies feel completely different and fragile during this time.
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July 8, 2008
FDA mandate that a boxed warning be added to fluoroquinolone product labeling warning of increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.
March 30, 2011
FDA mandate adding information about exacerbations of myasthenia gravis to the boxed warning.
August 15, 2013
FDA issues drug safety communication regarding risk for possibly permanent nerve damage from fluoroquinolones. FDA also mandates that drug labeling be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy.
May 12, 2016
FDA issue drug safety communication advising that serious adverse events associated with fluoroquinolone use generally outweigh their benefits for patients with acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Fluoroquinolones are recommended to be reserved for patients without alternative options. These disabling and potentially permanent adverse events were effects on the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system.
July 26, 2016
FDA mandate revising boxed warning to include information appearing in the May 2016 drug safety communication.
July 10, 2018
FDA issues drug safety communication that strengthened the warnings in the prescribing information of fluoroquinolones regarding adverse events on blood glucose levels and mental health.
December 20, 2018
FDA issue drug safety communication regarding the risk of aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm rupture associated with fluoroquinolone use.
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“Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study, formerly known as The Foundation for Fluoroquinolones Toxicity Study and Research, was recognized exclusively as a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under Federal Tax Exemption and Illinois Sales and Use Tax Exemption on October 07, 2015. We know there are many websites about Fluoroquinolone toxicity awareness, therefore, this website is mainly intended for the medical and science communities. In our opinion, we should depart from this group of antibiotics and introduce other drugs that will not have such devastating effects nor be a threat to our future population.”
⇢ Treating Antibiotic Adverse Effects - Dr. Pieper book interview Part 1
⇢ Treating Antibiotic Adverse Effects - Dr. Pieper book interview Part 2
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⇢ Study links FDA warnings to fewer fluoroquinolone prescriptions
A new study suggests that the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) warnings about adverse events linked to fluoroquinolone antibiotics may have helped lower prescribing of the drugs, but not all physicians have been responsive to those warnings.
⇢ FDA adds “black box” warning label to fluoroquinolone antibiotics
The US Food and Drug Administration has told manufacturers of fluoroquinolones to warn doctors and patients of the raised risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. The “black box” warning, the most stringent, must be added to drug labels and prescribing information, and manufacturers must also develop a treatment guide for patients.
⇢ Black Box Warning for Fluoroquinolones: What Now?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration slapped a boxed warning on fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs on July 8, noting the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.
⇢ FDA Says Risks May Outweigh Benefits for Antibiotics Levaquin, Cipro
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options,” the FDA said in a Drug Safety Communication. “For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.”
⇢ Why Doctors Are Rethinking Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics
It’s been a decade since the FDA made the first of six increasingly severe safety warnings about these effective, but risky, medications. Used for more than 30 years, fluoroquinolones are approved to treat certain serious bacterial infections, but can cause dangerous side effects including heart rate irregularities, tendon ruptures, hypoglycemic coma, nerve damage, and disturbances in mental functioning.
Antibiotics are the second leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits due to adverse drug events (ADEs) in the U.S., behind only anticoagulants. Fluoroquinolones are the class of antibiotics most likely to cause an ADE requiring hospital admission. Several fluoroquinolones have been withdrawn from the market by the FDA due to ADEs.
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⇢ These Antibiotics Linked To Bobby Caldwell’s Death Can Cause Disabling And Permanent Side Effects
March 17, 2023 | Buzzfeed News
⇢ What Does It Mean to Get “Floxed?” Why Experts Are Sounding the Alarm on This Antibiotic
April 6, 2023 | Katie Couric Media
⇢ Bobby Caldwell’s Wife Opens Up About the Singer’s Torturous Final Years
April 21, 2023 | Katie Couric Media
⇢ ‘I can’t walk:’ 25 Investigates finds millions still prescribed risky antibiotic in MA, nationwide
February 6, 2024 | Boston 25 News
⇢ UTI antibiotic leaves Talia Smith unable to walk | NewsNation Prime
February 17, 2024 | News Nation Prime
April 19, 2024 | People Magazine
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⇢ UCSD Fluoroquinolone Effects Study
A research study to identify and describe beneficial and adverse effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics is being conducted by Dr. Beatrice A. Golomb and her colleagues at the University of California, San Diego.
⇢ A Study to Evaluate Biomarkers of Fluoroquinolone-induced Mitochondrial Toxicity
The purposes of this study are to determine if patients treated with fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics have depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in buccal swab samples, and whether the degree of depletion correlates with the likelihood of developing FQ-associated toxicity.
2nd arm - An additional group of patients will be enrolled if they previously received FQ antibiotics, appear to be symptomatic and have a previously collected muscle or nerve biopsy for clinical purposes available for this research study.
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No one works quite as hard as someone who has been damaged by a pharmaceutical drug and is trying to protect others from the same fate.
Check out these sites created by Floxies who, despite their own pain, created something to help others:
-Creator name unknown
-Created by David
-Created by Tania
-Created by Kiley
Shattered Mito (Coming Soon)
-Created by Jason
Free Legal Resource
“People depend on medical professionals when they’re injured, ill, or otherwise concerned about their well-being. Unfortunately, even doctors and nurses aren’t perfect. When a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional makes a mistake that injures a patient, that patient may be able to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.”
“Lots of drugs are incredibly beneficial. Many are even life-saving. However, even legal, helpful, and necessary drugs can become dangerous drugs if used improperly. This danger can increase when the drug manufacturer fails to disclose side effects or if there are unforeseen harms from a drug.
Many of the most dangerous drugs are legal — available either by prescription or over-the-counter — but when you consider illegal drugs as well, the dangers only increase. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a legal drug, you may be owed compensation from the seller or manufacturer.”
“From medical malpractice to car crashes, many injuries happen due to someone else’s negligence. By working with a personal injury lawyer, people who have been harmed can recover money for medical bills, hold companies accountable, and heal with as little stress as possible.
If you or a loved one has been injured, speak with an attorney to see if you qualify for a personal injury lawsuit.”