The Fluoroquinolone Wall of Pain, Wentzville, MO (2026)

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Please click on photos ..then click on albums..then start reading. Fluoroquinolones are currently one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antibiotics being prescribed millions of times each year. They are used to treat many types of infections such as respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, prostate issues and sinus infections. However, what differentiates this class of antibiotics from others is that fluoroquinolones have the ability to cause severe and permanent disability. Even from as little as a few pills. The insidious part of these chronic adverse reactions is that they can occur many weeks to months after taking the antibiotic. Side effects to fluoroquinolones are often times at their worst long after the antibiotic has been taken. Hence, many people never link their health problems such as nerve and tendon pain, chronic insomnia, and altered mood back to the antibiotic. The most commonly prescribed fluoroquinolones include Levaquin, Cipro, and Avelox. Approximately half of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics that were once on the market have now been removed from clinical practice due to their severe toxicities. Examples include Tequin, Omniflox, Trovan, and Zagam. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are extremely powerful medications. They were never meant to be prescribed indiscriminately and without warning to patients. They are meant to be used as a last line of defense against serious and life-threatening infections. Not as a first line agent which is how they are often used today. In addition, the overuse of these potent antibiotics leads to the condition known as bacterial resistance
In 2008, the FDA mandated that fluoroquinolone antibiotics carry a “black box“ warning for tendon rupture and tendonitis. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, sued the FDA demanding fluoroquinolones carry a black box warning. The FDA gets approximately 50% of their funding for the review of drugs directly from the pharmaceutical companies in what is called prescription drug user fees. This is an absurd conflict of interest that has made the FDA very slow and often reluctant to react to drug toxicities of all kinds. Even the FDA admits that less than 5% of all serious adverse drug reactions ever get reported to their agency. Unfortunately, the black box warning is far too late for the many victims that are now suffering from devastating physical and neurological disabilities. There is an appalling lack of knowledge within the medical community regarding these chronic reactions including delayed adverse reactions. Since these adverse reactions are far from intuitive, fluoroquinolone victims are often misdiagnosed or even sometimes unfairly labeled as “difficult patients.” Post-marketing studies of several fluoroquinolones have shown an incidence of adverse reactions much higher than were originally reported in pre-clinical studies. The american public needs to be afforded the right of informed consent with a medication as potent as fluoroquinolones. The manufacturers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics have failed to warn both the public and the medical profession of serious long term physical and neurological injuries. There should be congressional hearings on this toxicity. The FDA has long been aware of the crippling and sometimes permanent injuries from this class of antibiotics. They have chosen to turn a blind eye to this toxicity. The mission statement of the FDA is that they are responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs. In regard to fluoroquinolone antibiotics, the FDA has failed to live up to their own mission statement. This page was created to help raise serious advocacy and activism. We hope to help warn and prevent others from suffering a severe toxic injury. Please forward this site to all of your friends on Facebook and ask them to do the same. Finally, please promote advocacy and activism by contacting congress, the media, and signing the petition on this site. Thank you for your support and activism.

03/12/2026

Fine the First Time Does Not Mean Safe the Next Time

“I took a fluoroquinolone* antibiotic before and was fine, so I do not have to worry next time, right?”

A lot of people think this, and it makes sense. If you took one before and did not notice a problem, it is natural to feel less worried the next time. But unfortunately, it is not that simple.
Studies and safety reviews highlight that prior tolerance does not guarantee future safety with oral or injectable (IV) fluoroquinolone. Some people report serious adverse effects after just one dose, while others may take these drugs more than once before problems could appear.

Studies also highlight that fluoroquinolones can affect mitochondria, which are the parts of your cells that help produce energy. Experimental research has shown that ciprofloxacin can interfere with mitochondrial DNA replication, and other cell studies have reported harmful effects on mitochondrial behavior, including inflammatory and apoptotic** changes. More recent research has added to this concern. A 2025 mechanistic study highlighted prominent mitochondrial dysfunction in human cells exposed to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin and identified human off-targets that may help explain how this injury happens. In addition, it has been suggested mitochondrial injury may not always cause immediate adverse effects because cells can sometimes compensate for a while; the body may keep functioning on backup power until the stress builds, energy demand rises, or enough damage accumulates for the problem to become noticeable.

These findings may help explain why some fluoroquinolone adverse effects can be delayed, appearing only after the drug has already been stopped.

🎯 FDA warnings highlight that some fluoroquinolone adverse effects, such as tendon problems and peripheral neuropathy, can begin after the drug has been stopped and can have the potential to continue or worsen afterward.
Studies also suggest that the outcome is not simply about how many pills you took. It may depend more on how your body handled the drug and your individual susceptibility. Factors that may influence risk include:

💎 mitochondrial health and antioxidant defenses
💎age, body weight, and general health status
💎genetics and environmental exposures
💎other medications or illnesses before, during, or after treatment
💎prior exposure to fluoroquinolones

Topical fluoroquinolones such as eye and ear drops should not automatically be assumed to be risk-free just because they are not taken by mouth. Community comments on our ocular posts include reports of adverse reactions similar to those seen with oral forms, though the true prevalence is unknown. These products do not carry the FDA boxed warnings used for oral and injectable fluoroquinolones, but they still have safety warnings and precautions in their prescribing information. Recent pharmacovigilance research and case reports have raised concern about possible ocular adverse effects, particularly with moxifloxacin, while research on repeated prescriptions of eye and ear drop forms remains very limited.

So please do not let anyone dismiss your adverse effects just because you took “only a few pills” or because you seemed fine the last time. Studies highlight that delayed adverse effects can happen and repeat exposure may matter. You deserve to be believed, supported, and properly cared for.
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*Medications in this class of antibiotics: https://fq100.org/drug-list
** “Apoptotic changes” means changes linked to cells starting the self-destruct process.

✏️Disclaimer: Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study does not provide medical advice, and all videos, articles and written content are intended for informational purposes only. We do our best to provide accurate information. Such information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For multiple reasons, supplements, treatments, and pharmaceutical effects and outcomes can possibly vary significantly among those affected by fluoroquinolone drugs.

Find support and resources on our sites:
🌐 Website & Resources: https://fq100.org/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fqtoxicitystudy/
🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FQ_100

⚠️ FDA Warnings: these antibiotics are associated with disabling and potentially permanent side effects of the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system that can occur together in the same patient; in addition, possible mental health issues, serious low blood sugar, risk of ruptures or tears in the aorta and exacerbation of myasthenia gravis. See more FDA warnings here: https://fq100.org/fda-warnings

References:
Hangas A, Aasumets K, Kekäläinen NJ, Paloheinä M, Pohjoismäki JL, Gerhold JM, Goffart S. Ciprofloxacin impairs mitochondrial DNA replication initiation through inhibition of Topoisomerase 2. Nucleic Acids Res. 2018.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30169847/
Salimiaghdam N, Singh L, Schneider K, Chwa M, Atilano SR, Nalbandian A, Limb GA, Kenney MC. Effects of fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines on mitochondria of human retinal MIO-M1 cells. Cells. 2023.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9949354/
Reinhardt T, El Harraoui Y, Rothemann A, et al. Chemical Proteomics Reveals Human Off-Targets of Fluoroquinolone Induced Mitochondrial Toxicity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2025.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39964703/
Hill BG, Benavides GA, Lancaster JR Jr, Ballinger S, Dell’Italia L, Zhang J, Darley-Usmar VM. Bioenergetics and translational metabolism. Circ Res. 2019.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6944318/ (PMC)
Jones DP, Lemasters JJ, Han D, Boelsterli UA, Kaplowitz N. Mechanisms of pathogenesis in drug hepatotoxicity putative role of mitochondria and protection by Nrf2. Environ Health Perspect. 2010.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2895369/ (PMC)
Baggio D, Ananda-Rajah MR. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics and adverse events. Aust Prescr. 2021.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8542490/
Yu S, Fu DJ, Chiam JTC, et al. Increased risk of pigmentary degeneration of the iris and pigmentary glaucoma with fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Eye (Lond). 2024.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39069553/
Chau HT, Guo Y, Wu C, et al. Fluoroquinolone-Associated Psychiatric and Ocular Adverse Events: A Disproportionality Analysis Using Real-World Data From the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. 2025.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41410077/
da Costa DS, de Freitas D, de Andrade GC, et al. Bilateral Acute Iris Transillumination Syndrome after Topical Moxifloxacin/Dexamethasone Use. Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2023.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36747504/

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02/11/2026

Something feels off - you’re twitching, jerking, stumbling, or struggling with coordination. If you've recently taken a prescription, it might not be a coincidence. Most people never think twice about the medications they’ve taken… until their body starts doing things it never did before…..

The publication, Fluoroquinolone-Associated Movement Disorder: A Literature Review (link in references), is a review of cases where people experienced movement disorders (MDs) as an adverse effect of taking certain fluoroquinolone antibiotics* (FQs). The below are classified as neurological conditions because they involve abnormalities or dysfunction in the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The types of MDs observed in the study included myoclonus, dyskinesias, dystonias, cerebellar syndromes, ataxia, and tics. Here is exactly what those are:

🔵 Myoclonus: is a quick, involuntary muscle jerk or spasm that can occur in various parts of the body. It can be a single jerk or a series of jerks and may be caused by a variety of factors, including neurological disorders, medications, or metabolic disturbances.

🔵Dyskinesias: are abnormal, involuntary movements that can involve twisting, writhing, or repetitive motions. These movements can affect various parts of the body and may be associated with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease or side effects of medications.

🔵Dystonias: are involuntary muscle contractions that cause abnormal postures or repetitive movements. These contractions can result in twisting or repetitive motions and may affect specific body parts or occur more broadly. Dystonias can be caused by neurological conditions, medications, or other factors.

🔵Cerebellar syndromes: refer to a group of neurological disorders that affect the cerebellum, a region of the brain involved in coordination and balance. These syndromes can cause symptoms such as ataxia (loss of coordination), tremors, and difficulty with fine motor skills.

🔵Ataxia: is a neurological condition characterized by loss of coordination and balance. People with ataxia may have difficulty walking, speaking, or performing fine motor tasks due to problems with muscle control and coordination. Ataxia can be caused by various factors, including neurological disorders, genetic conditions, or injuries to the brain or spinal cord.

🔵Tics: are sudden, repetitive movements or vocalizations that are often difficult to control. They can be simple, involving brief muscle contractions (motor tics), or complex, involving coordinated movements or vocal sounds (vocal tics). Tics are a hallmark feature of Tourette syndrome but can also occur in other conditions or as a side effect of medications.

The review article says there is not one proven mechanism yet why FQ antibiotics can cause such issues, but the authors lay out a few plausible pathways that fit what is known about brain movement control.
➦One idea is that these drugs may disrupt GABA, one of the brain’s main “brake” chemicals, which can leave the nervous system more revved up and reactive.
➦They also describe an excitatory shift with more glutamate activity, plus signs of oxidative stress and inflammation in animal research.

Because movement is tightly regulated by basal ganglia circuits that depend on a steady balance between calming GABA and activating glutamate signals, the authors suggest that tipping this balance could help explain why some people experience tics, jerks, dyskinesias, or dystonia-like symptoms after exposure.

A few caveats the authors note are that most of the evidence comes from case reports and that many patients improved after stopping the medication, but longer term outcomes are often not well described, so future studies should include stronger long-term follow up.
As with many aspects of fluoroquinolone adverse effects, there is a real need for additional rigorous research, and most importantly, how do we resolve such challenging problems.
If you would like to share your experience with any movement disorder after FQ antibiotics, please leave a comment!

➦ To find fellow support and see how others are managing these adverse effects, please check out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/191063714251094

➦ Clinicians:
♦️Neurologist: specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system, including conditions that affect movement.
♦️Movement Disorder Specialist: some neurologists further specialize in movement disorders.
♦️Occupational Therapist: help individuals with movement disorders develop strategies to perform activities of daily living more independently and effectively.
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* FQ’s studied: ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and pefloxacin

💊Medications in the fluoroquinolone class in all forms for humans and pets: https://fq100.org/drug-list

🚫Disclaimer: Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study does not provide medical advice, and all articles and written content are intended for informational purposes only. We do our best to provide accurate information. Such information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For multiple reasons, supplements, treatments, and pharmaceutical effects and outcomes can possibly vary significantly among those affected by fluoroquinolone drugs.

Find support and resources on our sites:

🌐 Find Us: https://fq100.org/
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fqtoxicitystudy/
🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/FQ_100

References:

Rissardo, Jamir Pitton, and Ana Letícia Fornari Caprara. 2023. "Fluoroquinolone-Associated Movement Disorder: A Literature Review" Medicines 10, no. 6: 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicins10060033

Cleveland Clinic. Movement Disorders. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed February 7, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24847-movement-disorders

12/15/2025

UPDATE: New ICD10 Diagnostic Codes for fluoroquinolones became effective Oct. 1, 2025 - learn more: https://fq100.org/find-helpWelcome to our Antibiotic Sid...

12/12/2025

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