I have a client who is preparing to do an unsupported running race of the Grand Canyon. In the medical advice given by the organiser's medical advisor, he recommends that competitors take one of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics to guard against infection. My immediate reaction, upon reading this advice, was to consider the doctor mad, ill-informed or just plain brain-washed by Big Pharma!
I have written quite a few articles about the permanent, crippling damage done by these drugs to countless thousands of people. Remember that less than 10% and more like 1% of all adverse drug reactions ever get reporterd!
In recent years case reports have linked Levaquin, Cipro, and Avelox with peripheral neuropathy, or serious nerve damage. As a result of the large number of cases of peripheral neuropathy in patients using Avelox, Cipro, and Levaquin being reported to the FDA, it issued this warning in August 2013: "FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA requires label changes to warn of risk for possibly permanent nerve damage from antibacterial fluoroquinolone drugs taken by mouth or by injection".
My advice is to refuse to take them unless your life depends on it. Ask for an alternative. If you are competing in an event, or ging to a place where infection such as tummy bugs are common, then consult me about healthy alternatives.
I am indebted to Tom Lamb of Tom Lamb Law for his diligence in keeping a watch on drug injury trends.
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