Ciprofloxacin risks and one woman's harrowing experience — March 2024

Antibiotics save lives, but some carry rare dangers. In March 2024 we published a detailed account of Talia Smith, who took ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection and ended up with severe health problems and near immobility. Her story is a wake-up call: even common drugs can cause lasting harm when risks aren’t discussed or alternatives aren’t considered.

What happened in this case

Talia was prescribed ciprofloxacin after she reported typical UTI symptoms. Within days she developed intense joint and tendon pain, nerve symptoms like burning and numbness, and progressive weakness. Over weeks she became largely immobile. Doctors later described her condition as consistent with 'floxing'—a severe reaction linked to fluoroquinolone antibiotics that can affect tendons, nerves, and muscles.

Floxing is rare, but it’s real. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA have warned against routine use of fluoroquinolones for uncomplicated UTIs because of such serious side effects. Talia’s case shows how quickly quality of life can change and why prescribers need to balance risks and benefits for each patient.

What you should know and do

If you’re offered ciprofloxacin or another fluoroquinolone, ask questions. Is this the only effective option? Has a urine culture been done? Can a narrower-spectrum drug like nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole be used based on local resistance patterns? Those alternatives often treat uncomplicated UTIs with fewer systemic risks.

If you start a fluoroquinolone and notice tendon pain, muscle weakness, tingling, or sudden changes in balance or eyesight, stop the medication and contact your doctor right away. Early recognition can lessen harm. Tell your clinician about any steroid use, previous tendon problems, or connective tissue disorders—these raise the risk of tendon damage.

Keep records: dates you took the drug, when symptoms began, and any clinical visits or test results. Reporting adverse reactions to your national drug safety agency can help track rare events and protect others. Seek specialists—neurology, rheumatology, or physical therapy—if symptoms persist.

For prescribers: consider urine culture before choosing antibiotics for UTIs, use local antibiograms, and reserve fluoroquinolones for cases where alternatives aren’t suitable. Discuss risks clearly with patients and provide written guidance on warning signs to watch for.

Talia’s experience is a tough reminder: medicine requires careful choices. Knowing the risks, asking questions, and reporting problems can reduce harm. If you want the full case read our March 2024 post for a step-by-step timeline, medical notes, and resources on safer UTI treatment and how to seek help if you suspect floxing.