Beware - Ciproflacacin antibiotics can cause permanent damage

Mayoclinic.org ^ | February 16, 2025 | Nasir Khan

[TermLimits4All]

In 2017, I took Cipro for just five days to treat a simple UTI. Since then, my quality of life has been steadily deteriorating. Over the past seven years, my condition has worsened to the point where I can barely walk, and I will soon need a wheelchair.

[bert]

I started taking the 5,000 iu dissolve under you tongue tablets and within only 2 hours there was a literal jolt of normalcy not experienced in several years.

Vitamin B12 is a miracle!!!. B12 quite literally changed my life. It took me back to normalcy not experienced in many years.

[bert]

B12 might help the neuropathy. It caused mine to diminish in my calves and feet.

[alligator]

The Hidden Cost of Healing: When Medications Damage Our Mitochondria

In 2007, my sister, Johanna, was a healthy emergency-room nurse. A routine prescription of Cipro led to her Achilles tendon rupturing without warning.

Then came 17 years of unexplained symptoms:

14 tendon ruptures total (10 in the last 3 years; 4 while sleeping)

Crushing fatigue that left me bedbound for days

Nerve pain, muscle weakness, and cognitive fog no test could explain

She was labeled “complex,” “rare,” or “idiopathic.” In 2024, a medical paper landed in my inbox. A local Nurse Practitioner helped connect the dots. Next-generation mtDNA sequencing confirmed:

Respiratory Chain Complex I deficiency — a hallmark of drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Fluoroquinolones: A Hidden Mitochondrial Threat

Fluoroquinolones—drugs like Cipro, Levaquin, and Avelox—are among the most prescribed antibiotics worldwide. They are powerful and effective, but they also target mitochondria, the energy engines in every human cell. These synthetic drugs were designed to inhibit bacterial topoisomerase II (gyrase), which unwinds DNA during replication. Human mitochondria—descendants of ancient bacteria—use nearly identical topoisomerase enzymes. As a result, fluoroquinolones can poison mitochondrial topoisomerase II, causing double-stranded DNA breaks (Kalogeropoulou et al., Toxins 2020, DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050296). The outcome:

• Energy collapse
• Oxidative stress
• Progressive tissue breakdown
• In susceptible patients, the damage never fully heals.

There is a lot more to this story. She has created a website to collect and share information. And to ultimately get action by the FDA to make more people aware of the danger.

druginducedmito.org

Shortly, there will be a registry up...right now she is working with the website designer to find a way to get information with HIPPA compliance... Please share this info.

[FamiliarFace]

Yes, that helps some. Nothing has gotten rid of it entirely. Thank you, though. We try a lot of stuff. B12 is one of the better things we’ve tried.

[Semper Vigilantis]

Interesting.
Thank you, Friend.

[FamiliarFace]

I will check his dosages. He might not be getting enough. Thank you so much!

[FamiliarFace]

Is it 5000 IU or 5000 mcg? A liquid or sublingual tablet? I’d like to order some for him. Anything is worth a shot at this point. I fear his damage is permanent.

[Jamestown1630]

I took it once about ten years ago, and had no problem. It did have a warning of tendon rupture even then.

[bert]

My bad. 5,000 mcg from Walmart delivery is what I take

[bert]

I have a close friend for whom the B12 had no effect. However, his wife reported noticeable diminishment of the symptoms.

So, there is no guarantee except to check it out.

For the record, and for me an extremely important fact, the very common omeprazole prescribed and taken by many for indigestion, inhibits the action of B12 in the diet and as taken. By ceasing omeprazole, and beginning B12, the difference was unbelievable for me.

[FamiliarFace]

Thank you so much.

[FamiliarFace]

He is taking some in one of his multivitamins. I’ll have to check how much is in it. Unfortunately, I can’t do that for another week, as we are traveling. Visiting kids and grandkids for a week.

Thank you so much for your help.

[catnipman]

is it true that Fluoroquinolones can negatively affect the mitochondria?

grok:

https://x.com/i/grok?conversation=2034642096884482291

Yes, there is substantial scientific evidence supporting the claim that fluoroquinolones (a class of antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and others) can negatively affect mitochondria, often leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and related damage.

This is not just anecdotal or fringe — it’s backed by multiple peer-reviewed studies, including in vitro (cell-based), animal models, and mechanistic investigations. The effects are thought to contribute to some of the serious, sometimes long-lasting or disabling side effects associated with these drugs (e.g., tendinopathy, neuropathy, neuropsychiatric issues, and multisystem toxicity sometimes called fluoroquinolone-associated disability or FQAD).

Key Mechanisms and EvidenceFluoroquinolones primarily target bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV to kill bacteria. However, human cells have related enzymes (topoisomerase IIα and IIβ) in mitochondria (which evolved from ancient bacteria and retain some bacterial-like features).

Fluoroquinolones can interfere with these mitochondrial enzymes, leading to:Inhibition of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication — This causes depletion of mtDNA copy number, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and reduced energy production (ATP).

Oxidative stress — Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damages mitochondrial membranes, proteins, and DNA.

Disruption of the electron transport chain — Effects on complexes I and IV, leading to reduced mitochondrial function.

Other downstream effects — Mitochondrial membrane potential loss, altered redox status, and cellular dysfunction in tissues like tendons, nerves, retina, and pancreas.

Studies have shown these effects occur at clinically relevant concentrations (therapeutic doses), and they can persist or worsen after stopping the drug in susceptible individuals.

Supporting Research HighlightsMultiple studies (e.g., from 2009–2025) demonstrate fluoroquinolone-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane damage in human tendon cells, retinal cells, and other models. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidants like MitoQ have been shown to protect against these effects in some experiments.

Proteomic analyses (e.g., recent 2025 work) identified specific off-target interactions with mitochondrial proteins (AIFM1 and IDH2), confirming disruption of the electron transport chain.

In vivo and in vitro evidence links this to tendon toxicity, neuropathy, and other adverse events, with mtDNA as a key target via topoisomerase inhibition.

Reviews and collaborative investigations (including FDA-related petitions around 2013–2016) note that fluoroquinolones affect mammalian mitochondrial topoisomerase II, contributing to toxicities.

The FDA has issued black box warnings for fluoroquinolones since around 2008–2016, focusing on disabling side effects (tendons, nerves, muscles, joints, CNS), but it has not always explicitly highlighted “mitochondrial toxicity” in labeling — though citizen petitions and safety reviews referenced it as a potential mechanism.

Not everyone experiences these effects — they appear idiosyncratic (more common in certain people, possibly due to genetic factors, age, or impaired drug metabolism). The risks are why fluoroquinolones are now recommended only for serious infections where alternatives aren’t suitable.If you’re concerned about personal exposure or symptoms, consult a healthcare provider familiar with these issues, as management can involve supportive care (e.g., antioxidants in some contexts, though not standard treatment).

[ronniesgal]

what does do u take if u don’t mind sharing? thank u

[ConservativeMind]

From what I am reading from searches, you are likely experiencing two issues: ciprofloxacin-induced GABA receptor inhibition or NMDA receptor activation — both effect neuropathy.

Some things that are used to manage that resulting neurotransmitter imbalance:

Discontinuation of ciprofloxacin: Recovery can be slow or incomplete.

GABA support: Some use supplemental GABA, magnesium, or benzodiazepines (e.g., clonazepam) to enhance GABAergic activity and reduce neuronal excitability, though evidence is largely anecdotal.

Magnesium supplementation: May help restore the magnesium block of NMDA receptors, potentially reducing excitotoxicity.

Antioxidants and mitochondrial support: Given the role of oxidative stress in fluoroquinolone toxicity, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), CoQ10, and B vitamins are sometimes used.

Gut-brain axis support: Prebiotics may help restore microbial balance, indirectly supporting neurotransmitter regulation.

For tendon or tissue-related issues, which others get, these are caused by disruption of collagen synthesis (stoppage of new tissue generation) and increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity (an increase in what naturally breaks down tissue). This affects skin thickness and tendons, which rely on a couple different collagens (Type 1, overwhelmingly, and a little Type 3). (Joints use Type 2 collagen.)

There is also elastin that can help structurally with tissue rebuilding, but the only decent supplement I’ve found, is one we just recently started taking. It’s called “Elastin F.” It’s in “LABO Nutrition VesseCLEAR EX.”

I will say collagens we have been taking have helped a tendon issue (Achilles) and some internal and external tissues (primarily with skin surgery). These have studies available, as well. They are in “Sparkle Wellness FORTIGEL & TENDOFORTE Collagen Peptides / Collagen Powder” (TENDONFORTE is the tendon-tested component and the other is for joints) and Costco’s “Trunature Verisol Collagen Powder” (Verisol is the tested one—for skin tissue-type rebuilding).

The studies for the collagen show benefit within months. It appears stoppage keeps the benefit for some time, so these are semi-permanent changes.

Foods and supplements that curb the tissue breakdown by MMP include:

Flavonoids:

- Quercetin (onions, apples, berries, capers)
- Kaempferol (tea, broccoli, grapes)
- Luteolin (celery, parsley, artichokes)
- Myricetin (berries, tea, nuts)
- Apigenin (parsley, celery, chamomile)

Polyphenols and stilbenes:

- Resveratrol (grapes, red wine, berries)
- Pterostilbene (blueberries, grapes)
- EGCG (green tea)
- Oxyresveratrol (coconut shell waste)

Other plant-derived compounds:

- Sulforaphane (broccoli, cabbage)
- Curcumin (turmeric)
- Baicalein (Scutellaria root)
- Genistein (soy products)
- Silibinin (milk thistle)
- Eckol and dieckol (brown seaweed)

Foods supporting collagen synthesis:

- Vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, bell peppers, kiwi, broccoli)
- Collagen/gelatin sources (bone broth, chicken skin, fish)
- Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, oysters, beef)
- Copper-rich foods (nuts, seeds, shellfish)
- Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseeds, walnuts)

[Getready]

Baytril (enruofloxacin) is converted to ciprofloxacin in the animal bodies to some extent and in humans. Both entities can have antibacterial activity. Can both entities have toxicities also? Hard to prove in living creatures since by giving enro-, some cipro- is produced. . Maybe studies could be done in tissue culture where little metabolism might occur. Maybe the side effects noted in Baytril study was due to cipro- and enro-....?
I would guess the researchers felt it was not worth the effort to tease out which entity was the greater cause of the problems and why.

[Getready]

Not enrUofloxacin....Enro-.
Apologies for the misspelling.

[FamiliarFace]

I’m not sure. We’re traveling and I only brought the pills we needed without the original bottles. I can let you know in a week. Sorry.

[FamiliarFace]

Our daily vitamin and supplement regimen includes several of these mentioned. NAC, Co-Q10, magnesium, quercetin, turmeric, green tea, omega-3, zinc, vitamin C, and B vitamins, plus others (D3, K, and a few others). This is off the top of my head. I don’t have the complete list in front of me, but it’s quite a few.

[AuntB]

Thanks so much. I’m using collagen, about 4 months. No difference yet except my fingernails grow like crazy.