Serious systemic adverse effects (beyond package side effects) from #fluoroquinolone (#Cipro/#ciprofloxacin, Levaquin (off market)/#levofloxacin, Avelox/#moxifloxacin etc) antibiotics may persist for extended periods, potentially lasting for years or indefinitely for some. In 2016 and 2018, the FDA advised that fluoroquinolones should only be used in cases where no other options are available for sinusitis, bronchitis, or uncomplicated UTIs. They contain multiple Black Box warnings,* the most serious warnings a medication can have. If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms below and are stunned by the ongoing emergence of new and troublesome issues following the antibiotic treatment you underwent, you have been what is deemed 'floxed': ✅ Extreme weakness, inability to stand or walk as before prescription ✅ Nerve problems — weakness, numbness, pain, muscle jerking and twitching, crawling bug feeling ✅ Tendon tears and muscle weakness ✅ Collagen destruction, hanging skin, wounds slow to heal ✅ Acute sensitivity to sunlight, sudden hormone & thyroid issues ✅ Ringing in the ears, vision disturbances ✅ Anxiety, panic attacks, disorientation, impaired concentration or memory, confusion, depersonalization, hallucinations, psychoses Due to the potential of mitochondria** dysfunction, the actual list of adverse effects can be quite lengthy. Every prescription drug has side effects, some worse than others. Please do your research before you take that next pill, ear drop or eye drop, ask for a substitute if needed - don't let yourself become a statistic. 🟠 🟡 🟢 🔵 🟣 ⚫ 🟤 *Black Box warnings: fq100.org/fda-warnings **Mitochondria are the powerhouse of your cells ➥Listen to our 3 part series with Dr. Stefan Pieper: YouTube channel: piped.video/@FqAntibioticDam… 💊Medications in the fluoroquinolone class (incl: Cipro/ciprofloxacin, Levaquin (off market)/levofloxacin, Avelox/moxifloxacin etc) in all forms for humans and pets: fq100.org/drug-list Find support and resources on our sites: 🌐 Medical resources: fq100.org/find-medical 🧭 Help & Misc resources: fq100.org/find-help ▶️ YouTube: piped.video/@FqAntibioticDam… 🐦 X/Twitter: nitter.siddz.com/FQ_100 #FQAwareness #Fluoroquinolones #MitochondrialHealth #AntibioticSideEffects #Floxed #Cipro #Levaquin #FQAD ⚠️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.

In honor of Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Awareness Day, here is a combined message from some of my favorite experts. Thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do for us floxies. Thank you to my friend Katherine for the editing. Love, Talia ❤️‍🩹💜🖤 #fqtawarenessday #ExpertAdvice #askforanalternative #recoveryispossible #HopeAndHealing #thankyouforyoursupport #floxed #Cipro @drhughwegwerth @FQ_100

Awareness Day Oct 22: NEWS! FQAD – EU Parliament hearing to take place in November! Our floxed friends in Germany, FQAD Working Group, recently shared news of a promising development in their efforts to have FQAD* recognized through a dedicated ICD diagnosis code for the entire EU. They are asking for support from the global community. Please see below on how to help. Their November 5th hearing at the European Parliament could help build momentum for recognition elsewhere, including here in the United States. Although the United States now has codes for adverse effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, FQAD was not a condition the CDC would recognize. We wish the FQAD Working Group a victory and encourage support of their efforts. 🌍Petition Summary: The petitioner wishes to raise awareness of the severe, multisystemic condition known as Fluoroquinolone Associated Disability (FQAD), caused by the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The petitioner argues that the disease is far from “rare” and that thousands of patients across Europe suffer irreversible damage, some even resorting to suicide. A public hearing on quinolones was held by the EMA on 13 June 2018, after which the agency issued warnings about long-term, potentially permanent side effects. Since then, further studies have confirmed the toxicity, yet the EU still lacks a dedicated primary ICD code for FQAD, preventing proper medical treatment and social security recognition. In Germany, Dr Stefan Pieper’s 2020 book and his unsuccessful proposal for an ICD code, the petitioner argues, illustrate the systemic neglect; only a secondary “callout” code (Y57.90!) was introduced in 2026, which does not enable targeted care. The petitioner cites divergent estimates of affected individuals: the German health insurance institute AOK’s WIdO counted at least 40 000 harmed patients in 2018, while the EMA’s PRAC estimated only 3 000 EU cases per year. Independent analyses suggest up to 400 000 Europeans could be impacted annually. The petitioner requests answers from the EMA and the European Parliament on whether recent data are being monitored, what research has been commissioned, and whether the 20202024 study on label changes constitutes a final solution. The petitioner demands a reevaluation of fluoroquinolone safety, the creation of a specific primary ICD code for FQAD, and concrete measures to protect patients and prevent further harm. How you can support this opportunity! ➥ Visit & learn more on their website and select English translation fqad-deutschland.de/eu-petit… then choose: 🌍EU Petitions Portal – register for a user account, fill in your info and follow the steps to comment in support Or 🌍Declaration of Solidarity – Print and fill in your contact info and support comment; scan and email back to: fqad.ag.oea@outlook.de * FQAD – Fluoroquinolone Associated Disability. See FDA definition at the bottom of our Foundation’s website page: fq100.org/fda-warnings Fluoroquinolone Adverse Effects diagnostic code info for the USA: fq100.org/find-help

Tomorrow - Thursday Oct 22, Fluoroquinolone Awareness Day Change only happens when you participate! Choose one, or better, choose all: 1. Post an FQ poster on social media. Visit Talia Smith’s drive -: drive.google.com/.../1qOxot8…... 2. Support our work with a donation to Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study. Our team works without pay while facing substantial barriers in advocating for our community and raising FQAD awareness. We share and discuss research with medical professionals and laboratories worldwide, seeking partners to help uncover fluoroquinolone damage and explore potential paths toward recovery. These efforts take time, money, and persistence. A donation of $5, $10, or $20+ can help cover essential costs and support research so we can continue to work for you. Donate via this page: fq100.org/contact-us 3. Quickly sign and leave comment for the FDA on Johanna Ihli’s - FDA Citizen Petition FDA-2026-P-5116, calling for stronger informed consent, clinician education, improved recognition and documentation of fluoroquinolone-associated disability, and long-term patient surveillance. ➥Click link ➥Make your comment ➥Comment Category - 'Individual Consumer" regulations.gov/commenton/FD… 4. Documentary crowdfunding campaign - "It was the quinolones" Go here for more info: whydonate.com/fundraising/do… It was the quinolones Wondering if your health has been greatly altered by one of these antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone class? See the medication list here: fq100.org/drug-list Find support and resources on our sites: 🌐Website & Resources: fq100.org/ ▶️YouTube: piped.video/@FqAntibioticDam… 🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/fqtoxicitystudy… 🐦 X: nitter.siddz.com/FQ_100 #Fluoroquinolones #FQAD #FQToxicity #Mitochondria #Neuropathy #AntibioticSideEffects #Cipro #Levofloxacin #FluoroquinoloneToxicity #PatientSafety #DrugSafety #MedicationSafety #FQ100

Dizziness, heart palpitations, digestive problems, heat intolerance. Could dysautonomia help explain some of the symptoms experienced by patients harmed by fluoroquinolone antibiotics? Why discuss nerve function after fluoroquinolone injury? The FDA warns that fluoroquinolone antibiotics taken by mouth or injection can cause peripheral neuropathy, or damage to peripheral nerves. This damage can begin soon after treatment starts and may be permanent. [1] The peripheral nervous system includes autonomic nerves. While some peripheral nerves carry signals for sensation and movement, autonomic nerves help regulate automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating. Damage to autonomic nerves can cause a form of dysautonomia called autonomic neuropathy. However, dysautonomia can also occur without demonstrated nerve damage. [2] Although the FDA warns about peripheral nerve damage from fluoroquinolones, its peripheral neuropathy communication focuses on sensory and movement symptoms. It does not specifically address autonomic nerve dysfunction or establish that fluoroquinolones cause dysautonomia. Symptoms affecting these automatic functions nevertheless deserve attention during a medical evaluation. What is dysautonomia? Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for disorders involving the autonomic nervous system. Symptoms can affect multiple body systems and interfere significantly with daily life. [2] Symptoms can include: 🌀 Standing difficulties: dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint, fainting, pallor, or symptoms that worsen when upright. 🌀 Heart and circulation changes: palpitations, chest discomfort, fast or slow heart rate, high or low blood pressure, and blood pooling. 🌀 Digestive problems: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, reflux, heartburn, or altered movement through the digestive tract. 🌀 Temperature and sweating changes: difficulty regulating body temperature or sweating normally. 🌀 Fatigue and cognitive problems: exhaustion, brain fog, mental clouding, and difficulty thinking clearly. 🌀 Headaches and vision problems: migraines, altered pupil responses, sensitivity to bright light, or impaired vision. 🌀 Breathing difficulties: shortness of breath or becoming easily winded. 🌀 Bladder problems: difficulty storing urine or emptying the bladder. 🌀 Dryness and swallowing difficulties: dry eyes, mouth, or skin, and trouble swallowing. 🌀 Neck and shoulder pain when upright: sometimes called “coat hanger” pain. [2] Symptoms vary, and this list is not exhaustive. Some of these symptoms can also be related to other conditions or processes occurring in the body, and more than one issue may be contributing at the same time. Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone has dysautonomia, but recognizing a pattern may help guide a discussion with a healthcare professional. [2] The Dysautonomia Project explains these symptoms and autonomic disorders in more detail. Its article is an educational resource, rather than research specifically about fluoroquinolone injury: thedysautonomiaproject.org/d… * 💊The main systemic fluoroquinolones used in the United States today include levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and delafloxacin (Baxdela). Most brand names are now discontinued except the above. See complete list in all forms for humans and pets: fq100.org/drug-list Find support and resources on our sites: 🌐 Website & Resources: fq100.org/ ▶️ YouTube: piped.video/@FqAntibioticDam… 🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/fqtoxicitystudy… 🐦 X: nitter.siddz.com/FQ_100 **References** [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. *FDA requires label changes to warn of risk for possibly permanent nerve damage from antibacterial fluoroquinolone drugs taken by mouth or by injection.* August 15, 2013. fda.gov/media/86575/download [2] The Dysautonomia Project. *Dysautonomia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments.* thedysautonomiaproject.org/d… Disclaimer: Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study does not provide medical advice. All videos, articles, posts, and written materials are intended for educational and informational purposes only. We make every reasonable effort to provide accurate information, but this material is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Symptoms, underlying medical conditions, treatment responses, and the effects of medications or supplements may vary significantly among individuals. #Fluoroquinolones #FQAD #FQToxicity #Mitochondria #Neuropathy #AntibioticSideEffects #Cipro #Levofloxacin #FluoroquinoloneToxicity #FQ100 #DysautonomiaAwarenessMonth #DysautonomiaAwareness #dysautonomia

🎥 It was the quinolones – new documentary in the works, check it out/become a participant! Hélène Mastrodicasa, fellow floxie, and Producer, Benjamin Wautier from Silver Ray Production, have asked the Foundation to share their documentary project regarding fluoroquinolone antibiotics adverse effects and which “explores paths of resilience, potential solutions and possible institutional levers.” They are seeking additional international participants to share a brief testimony of their experience (contact below) and any size donation you can spare to get this movie up onto screens (link below). 🎥From the team: “This documentary was born out of a deep conviction: the importance of informing the general public, with honesty, kindness, and scientific rigor, about the often unknown risks associated with certain treatments, particularly fluoroquinolones.” To help fund this project and learn more about this: whydonate.com/.../documentar… ➥ If you would like to participate - contact Helene via direct message on Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=… or mastrodicasah@gmail.com

Please watch to learn important updates about Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Awareness Day on October 22, 2026. Link to G Drive: drive.google.com/drive/folde… #fqtawarenessday #askforanalternative #AwarenessCampaign #WhatYouNeedToKnow #JoinUs #Cipro #Ciprofloxacin #floxed #PleaseShareThisPost

Ciprofloxacin, one of the world’s most widely prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotics, has become a stubborn fixture of the global water cycle. Detected in surface waters, groundwater and even drinking water supplies at concentrations ranging from nanograms to micrograms per liter, the compound is chemically stable, poorly biodegradable and largely excreted unmetabolized by patients. Conventional wastewater treatment plants, designed to strip out organic matter and nutrients, are largely powerless against it. The consequences are not abstract: trace-level antibiotics are sufficient to select for resistant bacteria, disrupt aquatic microbial communities and inflict genotoxic damage on organisms downstream. Now, a research team led by scientists affiliated with Birjand University of Medical Sciences in Iran reports a plant-based route to a magnetic photocatalyst that can completely eliminate the drug from water under simulated sunlight, offering a greener answer to one of environmental chemistry’s most persistent problems. Full article: bioengineer.org/plant-powere… Azqandi, M., Nasseh, N., Esmaeli-Nasrabadi, F., Kargar, M., Ahmadzadeh, S., Dolatabadi, M., & Jahanshahi, R. (2026). Phytochemical-mediated design of magnetic MgFe2S4/CoBiO2I heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin. Journal of Saudi Chemical Society, 30(5), Article 68. doi.org/10.1007/s44442-026-0… Our nonprofit foundation, Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Study, was created to investigate how fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause systemic, short-term and possible lifetime damage and identify paths toward recovery. By funding independent research, collaborating globally, and sharing our findings with the medical and scientific communities, we aim to create lasting change in how these drugs are prescribed and used around the world. 💊The main systemic fluoroquinolones used in the United States today include levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), gemifloxacin (Factive), and delafloxacin (Baxdela). Most listed brand names are now discontinued except Cipro and Baxdela. See complete list in all forms for humans and pets: fq100.org/drug-list Find support and resources on our sites: 🌐Website & Resources: fq100.org/ ▶️YouTube: piped.video/@FqAntibioticDam… 🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/fqtoxicitystudy… 🐦 X: nitter.siddz.com/FQ_100

Help Lauren Support FQ Advocacy! Lauren, a former high school teacher living with disabling fluoroquinolone adverse effects, is working to bring this issue to the attention of the N. Carolina Attorney General. She is requesting a meeting with the Attorney General’s office and would be accompanied by Dr. Charles Bennett** to discuss the serious, lasting consequences and inadequate warnings, starting in her State. Personal stories can help demonstrate that these experiences are NOT isolated. If you would like to support Lauren’s efforts, particularly if you live in North Carolina, please consider submitting a short written account of what happened to you. ✅Lauren has asked that you emphasize that the patient literature did not accurately reflect the scope of your adverse reactions Your story could also include: ✅The adverse effects you are experiencing and for how long ✅How your health, employment, finances or family life have been affected ✅Whether you were warned about the possibility of disabling or potentially irreversible adverse effects ✅Any difficulty you experienced obtaining medical recognition, documentation, treatment or disability benefits Even a few paragraphs can help put a human face on this issue. Each personal account adds to a clearer picture of how fluoroquinolone adverse effects can affect individuals, families and the broader healthcare and disability systems. ➥➥ Please send your story to Attorney General Jackson: Info@jeffjacksonnc.com ✨✨Thank you for helping Lauren ensure that the experiences of this community are heard and taken seriously✨✨ ** Dr. Bennett - is a hematologist, oncologist and professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy. His career has focused on identifying, investigating and helping prevent serious adverse drug events. He founded the Research on Adverse Drug Events and Reports program and is affiliated with the Southern Network on Adverse Reactions, a pharmacovigilance network involving researchers from approximately 50 medical universities. He has significant knowledge on the issues surrounding FQ medications.

Have you read the ridiculous article about “sickfluencers” by Poppy Coburn in The Telegraph? Here’s an overview. #TheTelegraph #sickfluencers #fakenews #ChronicIllness #KnowTheFacts #doyourresearch @Telegraph

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics in infant formula, meat, eggs, water, soil, and honey – the silent circulation of a drug Fluoroquinolones are modern, broad-spectrum antibiotics used on a massive scale in human and veterinary medicine. They save lives in acute infections, but they are also among the drugs most frequently associated with long-lasting adverse effects, including tendon damage, neuropathy, dysautonomia, and probable mitochondrial injury. For people who have already been harmed by fluoroquinolones, even tiny “background” exposures become a worrying question: are traces of these drugs still circulating in our food and environment, and if so, what could that mean for sensitive individuals? Over the past 15–20 years, analytical chemistry has provided an uncomfortable answer. Thanks to sensitive methods such as solid-phase extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, and LC–MS/MS, researchers have shown that fluoroquinolone residues can be found in almost every part of the food chain: in infant and young-child milk powders, meat, eggs, fish, honey, drinking and aquaculture water, and even in agricultural soils and vegetables irrigated with contaminated water. These concentrations are usually low and, under current regulations, are considered safe for the general population. But they are not zero, and they are biologically active molecules designed to interact with DNA and mitochondria. ❓In the context of fluoroquinolone-associated disability (FQAD) and mitochondrial dysfunction, this raises a simple but profound question: what is the effect of chronic micro-dosing through food, water and environmental exposure in people whose detoxification and repair systems are already weakened❓ 🧿 Fluoroquinolones in infant formula and baby foods Infant formula and baby foods are some of the most strictly regulated products on the market. In the European Union, veterinary antimicrobials are not permitted in baby foods, so a “zero-tolerance” policy applies. In practice, this means that any detectable residue is considered illegal, even if the absolute amount is minimal. Despite this, several independent groups – mainly in Spain and other European countries – have developed methods that detect fluoroquinolone residues in commercial baby foods and powdered infant formula. Rodríguez and co-workers validated a solid-phase extraction and LC–LC-fluorescence method for powdered infant formula from the Spanish and Latin-American market and showed that traces of fluoroquinolones can be measured at levels of a few μg/kg. Other work by the same team used pressurized liquid extraction combined with LC–FLD to analyse infant food products containing meat, chicken, and fish. In that study, a chicken-based baby food sample was found to be non-compliant because of enrofloxacin residues, confirmed by LC–MS/MS. A further step was taken by Herrera-Herrera and colleagues, who applied SPE and UPLC–MS/MS to infant and young-child powdered milks and could simultaneously quantify multiple quinolones and fluoroquinolones (including levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and moxifloxacin) at very low concentrations. These methods show that, technically, it is possible to detect and quantify fluoroquinolone residues in infant milks at low μg/kg levels, and that some marketed products do contain measurable residues, even where legislation assumes they should be absent. Why do infant products contain any fluoroquinolones at all? The main explanation is upstream: dairy cows treated with veterinary fluoroquinolones may continue to excrete residues in milk if withdrawal times are not respected or if extra-label use occurs. Residues can also enter the milk supply through contaminated water, feed, and biofilms in pipelines. Reviews on veterinary drug residues in the food chain emphasise that inappropriate dosing, failure to observe withdrawal periods, and the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters have all contributed to a background level of antibiotic residues in milk and dairy products worldwide. For healthy infants, regulators assume that the combination of low concentrations, short exposure, and safety factors keeps the risk minimal. But for families in which the mother has a history of fluoroquinolone toxicity or mitochondrial dysfunction, the idea that formula or baby foods may contain small amounts of the same class of drug is understandably alarming – especially in the context of clinical stories where children show joint noises, ligament problems or developmental symptoms despite never receiving the drug directly. 🧿 Meat, eggs, and fish – residues surviving cooking and freezing Fluoroquinolones are widely used in poultry, pigs, cattle and aquaculture. Their residues are regularly detected in raw meat and edible tissues. Studies from Europe, Asia and Africa have reported ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin and other fluoroquinolones in chicken muscles, liver, and gizzards, sometimes above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) and sometimes below but still measurable. Eggs are not exempt. A method using pressurized liquid extraction and LC–FLD was developed for enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sarafloxacin in table eggs, demonstrating that residues can be reliably extracted from yolk and albumen and quantified at low μg/kg levels. This does not mean that every egg contains antibiotic residues, but it does confirm that fluoroquinolones can reach eggs when laying hens are treated improperly. The next logical question is whether standard kitchen processing destroys these residues. For many antibiotics, heating and boiling do significantly reduce the concentration. For fluoroquinolones, the picture is more complicated. In a classic study, Lolo and colleagues examined naturally occurring enrofloxacin residues in chicken meat and tested boiling, microwaving, roasting, grilling, and frying. They found that enrofloxacin (and its active metabolite ciprofloxacin) were remarkably heat-stable: in some cooking modes the absolute concentration in the meat decreased modestly, but in others it even appeared to increase because water was lost. The residue became more concentrated in the remaining tissue. Other experimental work confirms that boiling, microwaving and roasting usually lead to only partial reduction of fluoroquinolone residues, and part of the lost fraction simply migrates into the cooking water or juices, rather than being destroyed. From the point of view of a sensitive consumer, this means that grilled or roasted meat from recently treated animals can still contain biologically relevant amounts of fluoroquinolones after cooking and freezing. Long-term freezing does not reliably remove these residues; it mainly slows down microbial growth and enzymatic reactions, while the antibiotic molecule remains largely intact. 🧿 Honey and bees – fluoroquinolones in a “natural” product Honey is often perceived as a clean, almost medicinal product. However, in modern beekeeping, it can be contaminated with antibiotics used to control bacterial infections in hives. Fluoroquinolones, including banned substances like norfloxacin, have been detected in honey samples from several countries. Kanda and co-workers developed a microbiological screening test combined with liquid chromatography to rapidly determine seven fluoroquinolones (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, orbifloxacin, sarafloxacin, and difloxacin) in honey. More recently, a five-year study in Zhejiang Province, China, analysed 681 honey samples from Apis mellifera and Apis cerana and found that four fluoroquinolones were detected in about 7% of samples. Norfloxacin – a drug banned in bee products – showed the highest detection frequency and reached concentrations as high as 7,890 μg/kg in some rape honey samples. A systematic review and meta-analysis of antibiotics in honey confirms that, globally, residues of various antimicrobial classes (including fluoroquinolones) are frequently found, with substantial variability between countries and production systems. Importantly, there are also many honey samples where no antibiotics are detected, especially from producers who do not use veterinary drugs in beekeeping. But from the perspective of someone with FQAD, the presence of even a small fraction of contaminated honey on the market is enough to justify caution and, where possible, choosing producers who provide independent residue testing. 🧿 Water, aquaculture and the aquatic environment Fluoroquinolones are mainly excreted unchanged in urine and faeces, and they bind strongly to sediments and organic matter. Wastewater treatment plants only partially remove them. As a result, they have been detected in surface waters (rivers and lakes), aquaculture ponds, and even some drinking-water sources in various parts of the world. Analytical methods using molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and LC–MS/MS have shown that ultratrace concentrations (ng/L) of multiple fluoroquinolones can be present in drinking water and fish-farm water. In hotspots downstream of pharmaceutical manufacturing or large hospitals, levels can be orders of magnitude higher, creating a powerful selection pressure for resistant bacteria and a chronic low-dose exposure to humans and animals. Fish raised in contaminated water can accumulate fluoroquinolones in their tissues, especially in organs like the liver and kidney, but also in edible muscle. Reviews of veterinary drug residues in aquaculture products consistently list ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and related drugs as major contaminants of concern. 🧿 Soil, manure, and vegetables – antibiotics in the field What is excreted by animals or discharged with effluents does not disappear. It ends up in manure, sludge, and agricultural soils. Several studies have documented fluoroquinolone residues in soils irrigated with wastewater or fertilized with contaminated manure, often at levels of tens to hundreds of μg/kg. In an intensive vegetable-growing area in northern China, fluoroquinolone residues in soil were linked to planting patterns and to the use of contaminated irrigation water. Research from the Yamuna River region in India showed that spinach and other leafy vegetables irrigated with pharmaceutical-contaminated water accumulated antibiotics, with ofloxacin reaching measurable concentrations in edible leaves. This confirms that antibiotics can move from water to soil and then into plant tissues, entering the human diet even in products that do not contain veterinary drugs. From a regulatory standpoint, these levels are still low and there are currently no specific maximum residue limits for fluoroquinolones in vegetables. From a mechanistic standpoint, they are another piece of the puzzle: a small but chronic dose of DNA-active, mitochondria-targeting molecules in the daily diet. ❓❓What does this mean for people with FQAD and mitochondrial dysfunction? For the average consumer, risk assessments compare estimated daily exposure from food and water with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) derived from animal toxicology, multiplied by safety factors. Under this framework, most measured fluoroquinolone residues in food fall below the thresholds considered risky. However, people with profound fluoroquinolone-associated injury do not fit the “average consumer” model. Many report hypersensitivity to tiny exposures, including eye or ear drops, traces in food, or dust from pharmacy pills. Mechanistically, this is not implausible. Fluoroquinolones are known to: ➤➤ Inhibit bacterial and mitochondrial topoisomerases and interfere with DNA replication and repair. ➤➤ Generate oxidative stress and damage mitochondrial membranes. ➤➤ Chelate magnesium and other cations essential for energy metabolism. If mitochondria are already damaged and antioxidant reserves are exhausted, even minor additional hits may prolong inflammation, delay regeneration, and maintain a state of “cellular alarm”. For these patients, chronic, low-dose exposure through food and water could, in theory, act as a constant background stressor – something like a weak but persistent flame under a pot that never quite cools down. At the same time, it is essential to be honest about the scientific evidence. We have solid data showing the presence of fluoroquinolone residues in infant formula, baby foods, meat, eggs, honey, water, soil and vegetables. What we do not yet have are large, controlled studies directly linking these background residues to clinical relapses or progression of FQAD. That research still needs to be done. ❓❓What, then, can a cautious but realistic approach look like? 1. Awareness. Knowing that fluoroquinolone residues can be present in animal-derived foods, honey, and some plant products helps patients and clinicians make informed choices. People with severe FQ-related problems may reasonably decide to reduce or eliminate the share of industrial meat, intensively farmed fish, and non-tested honey in their diet, especially when alternatives are available. 2. Support for better monitoring. The analytical methods already exist; what is often missing is routine, transparent surveillance with public reporting. Testing programs for infant formula, baby foods, meat, eggs, honey, and water should systematically include fluoroquinolones, not sporadically, and should publish their detection limits and results. 3. Recognition of vulnerable groups. Regulatory toxicology tends to focus on the “healthy adult” and, at most, on children and pregnant women. People with mitochondrial diseases, prior fluoroquinolone toxicity, or other conditions affecting DNA repair and detoxification are usually not considered. As evidence accumulates, it may be necessary to redefine what “safe” means for these populations. ✅......... Finally, this topic should not be used to create panic or helplessness, but to motivate better science and more honest regulation. The fact that fluoroquinolones can be traced from veterinary use to milk, meat, baby foods, honey, water, soil, and vegetables is not a conspiracy theory; it is a documented reality of modern agriculture and pharmacology. The open question – crucial for millions of patients – is how these chronic micro-exposures interact with existing mitochondrial and DNA damage, and whether reducing them can improve long-term outcomes. Until we have clear answers, prudence, transparency, and independent research are the most reasonable path forward - choose your food carefully. 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦 💊Medications in the fluoroquinolone class (incl: Cipro/ciprofloxacin, Levaquin (off market)/levofloxacin, Avelox/moxifloxacin etc) in all forms for humans and pets: fq100.org/drug-list Find support and resources on our sites: 🌐 Find Us: fq100.org/ ▶️ YouTube: piped.video/@FqAntibioticDam… 🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/fqtoxicitystudy… 🐦 X/Twitter: nitter.siddz.com/FQ_100 ⚠️Disclaimer This text is intended for information and education only. It does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Decisions about diet, treatment and monitoring of fluoroquinolone-associated problems should always be taken into consultation with qualified healthcare professionals who know the patient’s full clinical situation. References: 1. Rodríguez E, Moreno-Bondi MC, Marazuela MD. Development and validation of a solid-phase extraction method coupled to liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for the determination of fluoroquinolone residues in powdered infant formulae. J Chromatogr A. 2008;1209(1–2):136–144. 2. Rodríguez E, Moreno-Bondi MC, Marazuela MD. Multiresidue determination of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials in baby foods by liquid chromatography. Food Chem. 2011;127(3):1354–1360. 3. Rodríguez E, Navarro-Villoslada F, Moreno-Bondi MC, Marazuela MD. Optimization of a pressurized liquid extraction method by experimental design methodologies for the determination of fluoroquinolone residues in infant foods by liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr A. 2010;1217(5):605–613. 4. Herrera-Herrera AV, Hernández-Borges J, Rodríguez-Delgado MA, Cifuentes A. Determination of quinolone residues in infant and young children powdered milk combining solid-phase extraction and UPLC–MS/MS. J Chromatogr A. 2011;1218(42):8423–8431. 5. Foo WY, Loh SH, Wan Mohd Afiq WMK, Ariffin MM. Fluoroquinolone residues in food: occurrence and analytical methods – a mini review from 2000 to 2022. Malays J Anal Sci. 2023;27(3):533–551. 6. Khalifa HO, Shikoray L, Mohamed M-YI, Habib I, Matsumoto T. Veterinary drug residues in the food chain as an emerging public health threat: sources, analytical methods, health impacts, and preventive measures. Foods. 2024;13(11):1629. 7. Gentili A, Perret D, Marchese S, Curini R. Accelerated solvent extraction and confirmatory analysis of sulfonamide residues in raw meat and infant foods by LC–MS/MS. J Agric Food Chem. 2004;52(1):154–160. 8. Herranz S, Moreno-Bondi MC, Marazuela MD. Development of a new sample pretreatment procedure based on pressurized liquid extraction for the determination of fluoroquinolone residues in table eggs. J Chromatogr A. 2007;1140(1–2):63–70. 9. Lolo M, Pedreira S, Miranda JM, et al. Effect of cooking on enrofloxacin residues in chicken tissue. Food Addit Contam. 2006;23(10):988–993. 10. Javadi A, Mirzaie H, Khatibi SA. Effect of roasting, boiling and microwaving cooking methods on enrofloxacin residues in edible tissues of broiler. Afr J Pharm Pharmacol. 2011;5(2):214–218. 11. Kamouh HM, Abdallah R, Kirrella GA, Mostafa NY, Shafik S. Assessment of antibiotic residues in chicken meat. Open Vet J. 2024;14(1):438–448. 12. Kanda M, Kusano T, Kanai S, et al. Rapid determination of fluoroquinolone residues in honey by a microbiological screening method and liquid chromatography. J AOAC Int. 2010;93(4):1331–1339. 13. He L, Shen L, Zhang J, Li R. Comprehensive investigation of fluoroquinolone residues in Apis mellifera and Apis cerana honey and potential risks to consumers: a five-year study (2014–2018) in Zhejiang Province, China. Toxics. 2023;11(9):744. 14. Shoaei M, Foroughi M, Badrzadeh M, et al. Antibiotics in honey: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Environ Health Res. 2024;34(2):1064–1075. 15. Akhter S, Bhat MA, Hashem A, et al. Profiling of antibiotic residues in soil and vegetables irrigated using pharmaceutical-contaminated water in the Delhi stretch of the Yamuna River, India. Water. 2023;15(23):4197. 16. Li X, Xie Y, Wang J, et al. Influence of planting patterns on fluoroquinolone residues in the soil of an intensive vegetable cultivation area in northern China. Sci Total Environ. 2013;458–460:63–69. 17. Rodríguez E, Navarro-Villoslada F, Benito-Peña E, Marazuela MD, Moreno-Bondi MC. Multiresidue determination of ultratrace levels of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials in drinking and aquaculture water samples by automated online molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography. Anal Chem. 2011;83(6):2046–2055. 18. Gothwal R, Shashidhar T. Occurrence of high levels of fluoroquinolones in aquatic environment due to effluent discharges from bulk drug manufacturers. J Hazard Toxic Radioact Waste. 2017;21(3):04016013. 19. Ghimpeţeanu OM, Pogurschi EN, Popa DC, Dragomir N, Dragotoiu T, Mihai OD, Petcu CD. Antibiotic use in livestock and residues in food – a public health threat: a review. Antibiotics. 2022;11(5):676. #FQAwareness #Fluoroquinolones #MitochondrialHealth #AntibioticSideEffects #Floxed #Cipro #Levofloxacin #ciprofloxacin #FQAD #FQ #FQToxicity #Mitochondria #Neuropathy #antibiotics #FDA#CDC #rfk #HHS

Don't Add Fuel to the Fire...... Preventing Further Injury! The information below comes from years of observing patterns shared by the community, alongside what we have seen in our own health journeys. We often see people ask how to avoid worsening their situation after fluoroquinolone* antibiotic adverse effects go far beyond what is stated on the pharmacy handout. In addition, many people also describe something that can feel very confusing and discouraging…… ➤ relapses. Even after making progress, some people can slip back toward a stage they thought they had moved past. Psychologically, this can be crushing and can fuel fear, depression, anger, and apathy. A setback can last days, weeks, or months. ➔ Why might relapses happen As many may know, mitochondria are like little batteries inside your cells. They help power everything from muscles and nerves to the brain and heart. Fluoroquinolones are designed to target bacteria, and mitochondria share important similarities with bacteria because of their evolutionary origins. For some people, this can contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which may help explain why symptoms can be widespread and why added stressors can trigger flares or relapses. Cells do have built-in systems to clear damaged mitochondria and build new ones, but if mitochondrial DNA or the cell’s normal repair and quality control systems are affected, recovery can be slow, uneven, and very unpredictable. The pace of improvement could vary based on many factors including overall health, age, genetics, how far out from the prescription you are, and how well you can reduce additional strain going forward. ➔ Common reasons people report relapses 1. Returning to a previous physical lifestyle too quickly: Some individuals relapse even years later after testing their limits with extra exertion or big physical tasks like moving house. It may feel manageable in the moment, but the consequences often show up on the next day or two. 2. Stress: Life circumstances you used to handle may now result in days or a week with very low energy. 3. Immune activation and infection: Viral infections including Cov-19 and flu are commonly reported relapse triggers. 4. Collagen and connective tissue vulnerability: Many report long-lasting musculoskeletal and tendon or joint issues, and healing can be extremely slow, creating vulnerability to further injury. 5. Individual variability: People vary in susceptibility. Some may be more prone to prolonged or recurrent adverse effects due to genetics or other factors. Some in the community discuss CYP450**-related differences in drug metabolism. If you choose to explore this, a 23andMe-style report is one tool people use to look for clues. 6. Underlying conditions: Pre-existing health conditions may increase vulnerability to setbacks. Prior connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos are frequently discussed in the community. 7. Re-exposure or cross-reactivity: Some people report setbacks from inadvertent fluoroquinolone re-exposure or reactions to substances they did not expect. ➔What many in the community find helps reduce setbacks Healing is not only about time. It can also be about respecting your limits and reducing extra strain on the system. Below is a consolidated list of commonly reported triggers and stressors that people try to minimize when possible. Not everyone reacts to all of these, but they show up often enough in community reports that many people keep them on their radar. ➔Commonly reported triggers and stressors people try to reduce 😣 Emotional stress, conflict, and big adrenaline spikes 🏋️ Overexertion, including delayed payback the next day 😴 Sleep disruption and circadian shifts, including jet lag and late nights 💧 Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, especially after heavy sweating 🍬 Blood sugar instability, including skipped meals and sugar spikes and crashes 🧍 Orthostatic stress and dysautonomia-type triggers, such as standing too long, hot showers, or rapid position changes 🤧 Viruses and infections 🍟 Ultra-processed foods and highly processed ingredients 🐟 Farmed fish 🍖 Non-organic meats 🌼 Histamine or mast cell-type triggers, including seasonal allergy flares and high-histamine foods 🦠 Gut flares and dysbiosis, including food poisoning or post-infectious GI upset 🧬 Hormonal shifts, including thyroid instability and menstrual cycle or perimenopause changes 🧪 Nutrient depletion states, depending on labs, such as iron deficiency, B12 or folate deficiency, and low vitamin D 💊 Over-supplementation, including stacking too many new supplements at once or using stimulatory blends ☕ Caffeine sensitivity changes, including coffee, energy drinks, and pre-workout products 🚬 Cigarette smoke and other inhaled irritants 🏠 Indoor air triggers, such as mold or damp buildings, VOCs from new paint or carpets, and fragrances ☣️ Toxic chemical exposures and solvents 🔥 Heat stress, including sauna and steam rooms, especially when combined with dehydration ❄️ Cold stress 🧠 Sensory and cognitive overload, including prolonged screen time, intense work sprints, deadlines, and multitasking 🍷 Alcohol ⏳ Prolonged fasting or aggressive dieting, including rapid weight loss or abrupt low-carb transitions 🏔️ Altitude changes during travel 🚗 Prolonged driving, vibration exposure, and power tool use ❤️ Sexual activity overexertion, with post-exertional symptom flares 🏥 Certain anesthesia agents 💉 Steroids 🧫 Imaging contrast dyes 🩻 CT scans, X-rays, and nuclear medicine imaging such as PET and SPECT 🩺 Major dental work or post-surgical inflammation even without obvious fluoroquinolone exposure ♦️ Medication classes are sometimes reported as problematic beyond fluoroquinolones, steroids, and NSAIDs, such as statins, some psych meds, and some antifungals (this is highly individual) ➔Exertion pacing tip When it comes to exertion, think of your body as a giant battery. If you feel 20 percent better, try not to spend it all at once. Let that baseline build gradually to 25 percent, then 30 percent, and so on. When you are consistently at 70 percent or higher, you may be able to return to a steadier routine, slowly and cautiously. Most importantly, listen to what your body is telling you and step back when you notice warning signs. ✅Final Thoughts Being mindful of the above can help give your body the best chance to stabilize and rebuild over time. Every body is different. Age, prior health, genetics, how far out from the prescription you are, and how you respond could all shape what recovery looks like. People may also react differently to supplements, foods, medications, treatments, and procedures. Recovery and improvement are not always easy, and they are rarely a straight line, but we have seen people come back from very difficult places. ⚠️⚠️⚠️Please Note: see our Insights page for very important information on - anesthesia, scans, contrast dyes, FQ surgical materials fq100.org/insights ______________________________________________________ * 💊Medications in the fluoroquinolone class (incl: Cipro/ciprofloxacin, Levaquin (off market)/levofloxacin, Avelox/moxifloxacin etc) in all forms for humans and pets: fq100.org/drug-list **CYP450 info: geekymedics.com/cytochrome-p… ✳️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: 🌐 Find Us: fq100.org/ ▶️ YouTube: piped.video/@FqAntibioticDam… 🔵 Facebook: facebook.com/fqtoxicitystudy… 🐦 X/Twitter: nitter.siddz.com/FQ_100 #Fluoroquinolones #MitochondrialHealth #AntibioticSideEffects #Floxed #Cipro #Levofloxacin #ciprofloxacin #FQAD #FQ #FQToxicity #Mitochondria #Neuropathy #antibiotics

Every time you receive a medical bill, you're paying for more than your care. Today, we're taking the first step toward changing that. We want to hear from every American who believes that health care should serve patients—not special interests. Share your feedback through the Federal Register at the link below as we work to build a simpler, more transparent, and more affordable medical billing system. Click here: federalregister.gov/document…