Ciprodex is an ear drop that is used in children, especially children under the age of 3, the main people who get ear infections, that contains Cipro, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, and Dexamethasone, a steroid. Let me list the ways in which this is HORRIFYING:
- Fluoroquinolones are dangerous drugs. Their adverse effects include DESTRUCTION of all connective tissue throughout the body. This includes tendons, ligaments, fascia and cartilage. Destroying the connective tissue of a growing child is a REALLY BAD IDEA. Fluoroquinolones also adversely effect the nervous systems – central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. Destroying a child’s central nervous system, its BRAIN, is also a REALLY BAD IDEA. A child’s brain is not fully developed and to damage it with chemicals is unconscionable. Fluoroquinolones are so dangerous that many have been removed from the market due to serious adverse reactions and safety concerns. The fluoroquinolones that have been removed from the market include gatifloxacin, repafloxacin, temafloxacin,trovafloxacin and afloxacin. Cipro (ciprofloxacin) may be formulated in a way that makes it slightly less strong, or, if you’re feeling cynical, it may be formulated in a way that adverse effects tend to be delayed, and thus it is not perceived as being as dangerous as other, recalled, fluoroquinolones, but it’s still REALLY DANGEROUS. Hell, it messed me up pretty severely, and I was a strong and healthy 32 year old. I can only imagine what it would do to a child. I shudder at the thought.
- Fluoroquinolones should NEVER be co-administered with a steroid. They are contraindicated with steriods. Yet Bayer, in all its glory and brilliance, decided that it would be a good idea to combine a fluoroquinolone and a steroid in a single medication then market it to children. Awesome. Steroids weaken tendons, fluoroquinolones weaken tendons, putting them together is a toxic cocktail. Steroids also intensify the toxicity syndrome that is “Floxing.”
- Because Ciprodex is an ear drop, it doesn’t carry the same warnings as orally administered Cipro. I’m sure that a drug that goes into the digestive tract is metabolized differently than a drug that goes into the body via the ear. However, I am also sure that people can be floxed by ear and eye drops because I’ve talked to people who have been poisoned that way. To take the warning labels off of ear and eye drops is absurd. The drugs are still going into the body. Eyes and ears aren’t disconnected from the rest of the body just because they’re not directly connected to the digestive tract. I’m not asking anyone to believe in homeopathy or to go to a holistic physician, but I am saying that it is crazy to think that drugs that go into the ear and/or the eye don’t go into the body. Ears and eyes actually are part of the body, not separate floating entities completely disconnected from the rest of the being. Yet the FDA treats them this way and doesn’t demand the same warning labels on ear and eye drops. So parents are completely uninformed of the dangers of Ciprodex when they administer it to their children.
- Again Ciprodex is specifically marketed to children – what is wrong with these people? And what is wrong with the FDA? Children, the most inherently vulnerable people in our society, the people who are depending completely on others to take care of them, are being endangered at the least and permanently damaged at the worst, by pharmaceutical companies and a medical system that isn’t looking out for them. This is disgusting.
Here is the package insert for Ciprodex – http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=0ed518de-4ae1-43d1-84ff-26872d9e6a0f . Some things to note in the insert are:
- The amount of Cipro in it is low. This is good. Seriously, thank God.
- It is approved for use in patients 6 months of age and older. This is appalling.
- “CIPRODEX® Otic is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin, to other quinolones, or to any of the components in this medication.” So, if your baby starts having seizures, you may want to discontinue use of this drug because it turns out that your child now has a history of hypersensitivity to Cipro. Too bad they don’t mention that an adverse reaction isn’t reversible. And how, other than poisoning their children, are parents supposed to know whether or not their child has a history of hypersensitivity to these drugs?
- “Serious acute hypersensitivity reactions may require immediate emergency treatment.” This implies that there is a treatment. There isn’t. If your child has an adverse reaction to this drug and you take him or her to the emergency room, he or she will likely be pumped full of steroids which will make him or her worse. Then the child will have connective tissue and nervous system issues for a while, possibly for the rest of his or her life. But sure, tell your doctor immediately if your child experiences a hypersensitive reaction. They won’t be able to do anything about it, but they may realize that they poisoned your child and may avoid doing it again in the future.
- “If the infection is not improved after one week of treatment, cultures should be obtained to guide further treatment.” Cultures should be obtained before the administration of any antibiotic, period. Fluoroquinolones should not be used as a first line of defense against verified bacteria, period.
- “The systemic administration of quinolones, including ciprofloxacin at doses much higher than given or absorbed by the otic route, has led to lesions or erosions of the cartilage in weight-bearing joints and other signs of arthropathy in immature animals of various species.” Yup. And I wouldn’t trust that the amount absorbed by the otic route is too small, especially seeing as everyone’s tolerance for fluoroquinolones seems to be different. Some people die after 2 pills, others take 90 before they have a reaction. Besides, the people who are testing these drugs are the ones selling them. Don’t trust the bastards.
- “Guinea pigs dosed in the middle ear with CIPRODEX® Otic for one month exhibited no drug-related structural or functional changes of the cochlear hair cells and no lesions in the ossicles.” Well, it’s nice to know that their ears looked okay. Could they run though? Could they still find their way through a puzzle (or do whatever cognitive things guinea pigs can do?) How did their brains look? How did their tendons look? You don’t know because you weren’t looking? Oh…. I see.
- “It is very important to use the ear drops for as long as the doctor has instructed, even if the symptoms improve.” It is very important to stop using fluoroquinolones as soon as possible after you start having an adverse reaction. Even after stopping administration of them, the adverse reaction can continue. Since we’re talking about children, it’s really important that you stop giving your children drugs that are poisoning them. Discontinue use immediately.
- “Specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with CIPRODEX® Otic.” I’ll tell you that NSAIDs and steroids trigger adverse reactions.
- “Ciprofloxacin and corticosteroids, as a class, appear in (breast) milk following oral administration.” This is bad.
- “No clinically relevant changes in hearing function were observed in 69 pediatric patients (age 4 to 12 years) treated with CIPRODEX® Otic and tested for audiometric parameters.” Your child will still be able to hear. That’s good. He or she may even be able to hear constant ringing (tinnitus), a common effect of fluoroquinolone toxicity. That’s bad.
- All of the adverse events listed are things involving the ear. Of course, adverse effects on the ear should be noted when studying ear drops, but the rest of the subject should also be noted. Of the 937 babies poisoned by Ciprodex, how many suffered from subsequent tendon pain? How many had cartilage, tendons, ligaments or fascia that were mal-formed? How many of these children subsequently read at a normal level? How many of these children displayed symptoms of autism? Could they run? Could the jump? Could they think? Could they concentrate? Did they have GI problems? ALL of these things are problems associated with fluoroquinolone toxicity, and if none of these questions were asked, then the researchers were LOOKING AT THE WRONG THINGS. THEY WERE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS AND THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THIS DRUG HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED PROPERLY.
Even if all of the 937 children who were part of this study (side-note – don’t put your children in drug studies, just don’t) were fine, (and I doubt that is the case), effects of fluoroquinolones appear to be cumulative. So, even if these children didn’t react to these drugs the first time they were administered, they may react horribly to them when they get a fluoroquinolone in the future. A ticking time-bomb in their little body has been triggered, and it may get set off by future fluoroquinolone use, steroid use, NSAID use, or maybe even vaccines. (I’m not trying to vilify vaccines any more than I’m trying to vilify ibuprofen, the culprit is the fluoroquinolone, not the triggering toxin.)
Ciprodex and plain Cipro ear drops are given to children constantly. A very good friend of mine brought her then 9-month old daughter to an emergency services clinic with a suspected ear infection. The doctor never cultured the bacteria in her ear, he simply prescribed her some Cipro ear drops. Thankfully I was with my friend when she went to pick up the drops and she never filled the prescription (because I flipped out). The infection went away on its own.
The following was recently posted in a Facebook group that I belong to – “My 20 month old grandson is visiting from GA. He had a follow-up appointment at Vanderbilt for his ear tubes. The physician prescribed Ciprodex Otic Suspension for an ear infection. This is a combination of Cipro and corticosterod given via the ear. The insert does not disclose all the potential side effects. The insert states there are other potential risk and if you have concerns get additional information from your health care provider (which we know how that goes). After watching my wife go from a normal life to a life with disabilities…..I am concerned. In my personal research, children are at high risk of floxing. Does anyone know of floxing via the ear drop forms of quinolone antibiotics?”
Children are being given this poison every day. A child has probably been given a dose of Ciprodex in the amount of time that it took you to read this post. I hope and pray that they are okay.
To give this synthetic, neurotoxic , chemotherapeutic poison cocktail to innocent children is an evil of the most unimaginable magnitude, they do not have a voice,they cannot say no,
There are just no words that can describe the warped, twisted, corrupted excuse for what the pharmaceutical industry has become.
Those responsible for manufacturing and marketing this lethal concoction know exactly what this stuff can do and have known this for over 30 years, yet they continue to churn out “new & improved” versions, when all they have done is just tweaked the molecules, and then marketed exactly the same drug under a different name.
I would dearly love to ask these people whether they give this to their own families, but we already know their reaction to that question, they would not answer …………….. their silence would be deafening .
You quoted someone who asked, “Does anyone know of floxing via the ear drop forms of quinolone antibiotics?”
Yes, I know someone very well- me.
And it did not even cure the ear infection- because it was NOT an ear infection! A week later when I was worse, I was finally able to get another appointment with a different doctor at the clinic. That doctor ordered a CT scan which confirmed that it was actually a sinus infection. And the doctor’s notes from when the Ciprodex was prescribed said, “possible ear infection”- so it was known that it might not even be an ear infection! And it was NOT an ear infection!
Because I trusted a doctor, my health and my body was permanently damaged with a drug given for a condition that I did NOT even have! And several years later, I still have not been able to recover from most of the damage. In fact, some of the damage continues to get even worse.
And I am an adult, so it is terrifying to imagine what it would do to a small child’s body!
i was given Cipro ear drops in 2000 and 2001 , 2 mths after i was sent to a Rheumatologist and diagnosed with Fibromaylgia . ever since ive had many of the floxed symptoms . still today 13 yrs later i deal with chronic fatigue, muscle weakness , restless legs, popping joints, have damaged nerves and tendons ,arthritis, insomnia and mild tinnitus . im sure ive missed some as ive lived with it all not knowing the association to FQs till my fiance got severely floxed after taking Levaquin in Jan this yr .i am also an adult and hate to imagine what these are doing to children !.
I too got floxed by Ciprodex. Seems obvious to me as well now after reading about it , that the combination of cipro + steroid is likely to cause problems. Why don’t they put a warning on ciprodex, like for the oral cipro ?
I am still dealing with symptoms after months. Tendon, muscle pain/weakness , TMJ … , Not sure if/when/how much they will resolve . I have not been able to find much literature on floxing by ear drops. I would appreciate if any of the others who have been floxed by ciprodex can contact me at sjnebula@yahoo.com . Would like to compare notes on symptoms and what has helped.
Here is a story about a girl who was floxed by Ciprodex – http://inrarecompany.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-scary-monster-has-appeared.html
You have just made me, a 10-year-old boy, cry, due to this article about Ciprodex. I myself take Ciprodex to treat my middle ear infection. You have made me scared due to you saying it’s poison. Not cool.
Eyedrops brought me to my knees.
On top of all you’ve pointed out, what happens when an infant/todddler recently on Ciprodex for an ear infection receives a bunch of vaccines?
Thank you for such valuable info.
I just returned my 5 year olds Rx of Ciprodex otic. I just didn’t have a good feeling about these eardrops and started some research on google. I know my son has a acute ear infection with drainage but the oral amoxiciilian seems to be helping. After reading this I told the pharmacist that there was No
Way I was giving Ciprodex to my son. She said we don’t usually do refunds but gave me one.
Last summer, I had some ear irritation (not infection) from swimming. After cleaning out my ears, the nurse practitioner prescribed cipro ear drops and very clearly said to use it in both ears to clear up the irritation. Ever since, my left ear has been effected…and that wasn’t even the irritated ear. Since then, I have had fluid in the inner ear, pain in my neck and the back of my head, sinus and jaw discomfort and pressure, “reactive” lymph nodes, a visit to the ER for vertigo, and I can barely get anything out when I blow my nose. The only explanation I have had from my GP, the nurse practitioner (who prescribed it), and two ENT’s, is that it’s Eustachian Tube blockage due to allergies. I KNOW it was from the cipro drops, and my allergist even believes I had an adverse reaction to them. The nurse who prescribed them even told me that I was bordering hypochondria and said that the stabbing headaches were nothing more than tension headaches and that I would probably be dealing with the Eustachian tube dysfunction for the rest of my life because of my allergies. I never had any problems like this until I took those drops….I regret that I ever did. They have all told me it will settle down and in the beginning, they said 4-6 weeks to clear up. It will be a year in July. I can’t get any relief. I’m glad to see this article, warning others of the use of this horrible drug!
is there anything else besides Mg that i should look at taking to combat the needed ciprodex (other antibios didnt work)? im sure theres other things to load up on besides garlic and magnesium. anything else combat the possible floxing? i ll never use nsaids now and stick with acetominophen wen needed. im looking at this for my daughter, whos still growing. im hoping her youth’s resiliency will be stronger than the possible injury to a growing body. she shows no signs of ill effects still, a month after finishing the Rx. praying to God, she can combat itbut want to support her body in any way i can.
THANX!!
Thank you Lisa for bringing this to public awareness. Drug companies rarely if ever fully disclose the adverse reactions and side effects their drugs cause. They hide them with statistics massaged however they want them to look. Not only do they downplay or omit negative data, they falsely pump up the supposed benefits and indications. “Off label” use is promoted to doctors who don’t do their own research. Black Box Warnings are added in “stronger and stronger” language as though that relives the company of liability because “well, you were warned”! The FDA, is woefully negligent on holding drug companies accountable so when they actually do slap the drug company’s hand every once in a while – you should pay attention. Here is a warning letter from 2007. Don’t expect anything helpful to have come from this. Usually, they only change a few words here and there, but the dangers don’t change. Every drug has side effects. However, some are far worse than others. Do your own research and don’t be afraid to tell the doctor you want a substitute. Let the doc have to make the case as to why they prescribed what they did. You have the final say. It is your body. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/…/ucm054271.pdf
If the link doesn’t work, search FDA warning Ciprodex 2007
Lisa we need to let the world know that it really harms kids and adults AND that there are other ear and eye drops under different names such as Floxin which was put in my head during a surgery. Thanks for another great article!!! I appreciate it.
I have had chronic ear infections my whole life. At 30 I have made 15 sets of tubes including as an adult, my ent would tell you I need them now. I have had two infections over the last 9 months one in each ear. In both cases I did not respond to the first round of augmentin(I never do, but they always try). The first infection I was then given ciprodex drops, which I have taken many times. It seemed to have worked. Now here we are and I have had an infection in the other ear now for two months. Augmentin failed, first round of ciprodex drops caused massive migraines. It was stopped and I was put on what I was told was the pill version. This failed as well. Took a week off from antibiotics as suggested by er and now am back on ciprodex drops as well as levaquin. I have a cat scan scheduled for next week to look for cholesteatoma. He also has concerns about my other ear having in his words “not quite healed.” After reading this I am SERIOUSLY concerned about what I have been put on. What should I watch for as far as symptoms of a reaction??
Then what is your solution when a child has frequent ear infection and ear tubes in? Cipro ear drops are the ONLY ear drop that has been approved for perforated ear drum. You are like criticizing HIV drugs for side-effects while there are no other options for such patients. Please give me your alternative to the ear drops in the children who has ear infection and ear tubes.
I’m so glad you are putting out these important warnings. When will we learn that our bodies are delicate systems and WE know what is best for our bodies, much better than hack doctors and so-called care givers. They are modern day merchants of death. I have what was called by two doctors a very serious medical condition that needed immediate treatment…..but I’m not buying what they are selling, I will not give the money hungry pharmaceutical industry any of my money!!! Why do we think that so many of our species are disappearing….our globe is warming….and so many people are buying into extreme ideologies…if you think it is a coincidence that all these events are occuring at the zenith of big pharma power, you need to WAKE UP while you still can!
Again, thank you so much for ALL that you do to bring awareness to the masses…some kids may be scared, but it’s time to get real and RISE UP!!!!!!
I am still holding out hope for Bernie, but wish he were as concerned about KILLING the destructive pharmaceutical industry rather than just saving is some money to buy their poisons!
Hello I am very concerned now after reading about this drug, and I have a few questions I’m hoping you could answer. Currently I am breast feeding my daughter who will be a month old on Friday. My ENT prescribed Ciprodex to me yesterday. He put it in my ear to help with inflammation and to make sure that I do not get an infection in that ear (I have tubes in my ears, they have been in there for 3 years now) he said that the drug would help keep the tube open and working as well. I didn’t even know he was going to put the drop in my ear until after he did. Once he did I told him I was breastfeeding and asked if it was safe. He assured me that it was perfectly safe and to do 4 drops in my ear twice a day. I did 4 drops this morning and then just did my third dose (including the one he did in office yesterday) I was Leary on taking them while nursing but I read a lot about them and called my daughters pediatrician as well and heard nothing bad about the drug. For some reason I still had a bad feeling about it and kept researching it, which is when I came across your page. (Wish I would’ve sooner) anyway, I’m wondering..do you think these three doses can have an effect on me? And do you think the drug has gotten to my daughter while I’m nursing her? (I’m thinking about not nursing her and bottle feeding her some breast milk that I have stored until the drug is for sure out of my system. Also do you know how long until it’s totally out of your system? I’m very nervous now but thankful that I came across your page. I knew God was making me feel Leary of the drug for a reason.
Brittany, i got floxed by 2 doses of cipro ear drops. And it did not clear the infection. Also My healthy ear got affected too and i did not even use it in that ear. I ended up healing the infection by holistic medicine. I advise you to do this too.
As for the half life of it, i am not sure, but i woukd think it is out of your system in a few days. these drugs get out of the system , but their effect lasts on the person who took them. I would have thought that having it passed to your daughter in breast milk should not be a problem as it is similar to how healthy (unfloxed) people eat fluoroquinolone fed meat and dont get affected. I call it passive floxing which is much much weaker than direct floxing.
I was floxed 7 months ago.The immediate symptoms were extreme anxiety, stabbing pain deep in my ear , locked jaw and tmj, severe loss of balance/ vertigo and horrible tinnitus. The ear pain, locked jaw and tmj got better within couple of weeks.
The morning anxiety and vertigo are getting better gradually, but still there. Then, in the following weeks/ months, i started having ear fullness/ blicked ears sensation in both ears, tinnitus in the healthy ear , achilles pain, wrists and fingers pain, hyperosmia with constant coughing when i try to speak. Don’t be alarmed by my symptoms though. You could be one of the lucky ones who will not have adverse reactions. Your baby will be fine as well. Remember always that the concentration of the cipro in the ear drops is just 100 MICROgrams in each drop, so you just took 1.2 mg in total vs the people who take the pills which are 250 mg at the lowest dosage per pill. This low dose of 1.2 mg should not affect your baby and you can get away with it as well. Take care and all the best!