Cipro side effects are remembered in wake of September 11 anniversary

The anniversary of September 11, 2001 has led some to recall the mass hysteria that ensued at that time over the threat of an Anthrax outbreak, and the subsequent increase in demand for the antibiotic, Cipro. The current hysteria over projections of a potential swine flu pandemic this year have some feeling like it's deja vu.

To date, there have been no reported adverse reactions from the swine flu vaccine that is being tested, but Cipro side effects have led to several lawsuits against Bayer Pharmaceuticals. As the swine flu vaccine is still being tested, it is unknown if, indeed, any adverse reactions will be reported ex post facto.

Thousands of citizens were taking Cipro amidst fears of an anthrax outbreak when envelopes of powder were mailed to several public agencies, notes the Pensacola News Journal. Users may not have known then of Cipro tendon issues -and it's that upfront uncertainty about a drug's potential adverse effects that, in a state of frenzy, some fear may play out again with the swine flu vaccine.

In spite of the previous public information campaigns about Cipro that the news provider compares to the boy who cried wolf, there may still be a need to accurately state the risk that swine flu may represent, although research is still in its nascent stages.

Those who are worried about Cipro effects, which include tendon damage, may also want to be mindful of generic fluroquinolones notes the Hartford Courant. Bayer has been cited by the FDA for not including side effect information.