Unfortunately I can tell you that I have been prescribed 2 drugs with black box warnings for different conditions. The drugs are Cipro (antibiotic) and Elidel cream (for dermatitis). The doctor said absolutely NOTHING. There are more black box drugs out there then you think.

My friend just told me that her healthy co-worker can hardly walk and has to use a cane after taking Cipro because she got a ruptured tendon.

I wish doctors were more on top of things so people can make informed decisions about pharmaceutical meds.

Over 30 years ago a severe reaction to some medication for peritonitis had my doctors hurrying around because it damaged my liver.
The surgeon told me then that before I take anything ever again, to have my CBC & especially my liver enzymes tested, and then tested within a week after taking it, and then regularly every in 2-4 weeks while taking it for the first couple of months.

Can't tell you how often I have refused medications because the attending physician refuses to order this testing. If I am giving consideration to taking a medication, I request the repeating lab requisition before the MD writes the script.

Since spring of this year, I have basically been 'excused' from the care of my current MS neuro specialist because of me making this a requirement of trying an off lable use of a medication that he is doing a study on.
I got the sense that his main concern was that if it was found to have an adverse effect on what he calls 'atypical liver hypersensitivity", that it might have messed up his over-all test results.

It is possible that some drug companies & MDs don't mention possible side effects of meds for similar reasons.

With love, Erika

Wow....this has been a very informative thread...Cipro is off my list!

Great idea to get all the info about a new med being added to our often long list of meds we take.

thanks all!!

Cipro, avelox, and another antibiotic in the same class (I think it begins with a L) can all cause the same tendon problems. I just remembered the other drug is levaquin. My sister has had ongoing Achilles issues after being put on levaquin several times for sinus infections. She eventually had sinus surgery. I had to take my mom to the ER when she was on avelox because the pain in her legs was so bad. It says right on the warning to exercise caution in prescribing it to the elderly.

I'm allergic to Cipro, so it and it's evil brothers are out for me.
I say that we should tell our health care prof.,you are allergic
to any med with a black box or bad reputation...DO NOT
PRESCRIBE!!!!

Well, there is some good news if you like to eat chicken and turkey Sally.

Did you know that Cipro was regularly fed to chickens and turkeys that were destined for your plate until 2005?

Who knows what medications livestock are routinely being fed these days, but it seems reasonable to conclude that those who are allergic to certain medications may have reactions to consuming meat or dairy products from animals that have been medicated with what they are allergic to.

Years ago when we had a small organic dairy, we sometimes did need to use antibiotics on the cows and goats that developed mastitis or abcesses. Of course the affected animals were then isolated from the herd and their milk was dumped; but I wouldn't be so sure that is the case in larger operations.

Agricultural Use of Antibiotics Prompts Human Health Concerns
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/520518

With love, Erika

Great Erika, thanks. They are bound to poison us one way or
the other, aren't they.