Cipro is not the only antibiotic that fends off anthrax. Two other drugs are widely available, have fewer side effects and are much cheaper, a message the government is struggling to get out.
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October 19, 2001
By Howard LeWine, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
How does this article relate to me?
Many of us are asking ourselves: What is my risk of getting sick with anthrax? The answer is that our individual risk is exceedingly small. First, you need direct exposure to the spores. You cannot catch anthrax from another person. Second, as we have learned, of those with known exposure, only a handful have actually had any symptoms, and most of those have been skin anthrax which is almost always cured.
Right now, the risk of getting sick from taking an antibiotic to prevent anthrax is much higher than the risk of getting sick from the bacteria. Do not underestimate your personal risk of taking an antibiotic. Any antibiotic can cause a severe allergic reaction that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Other side effects can be disabling and even permanent. Children taking Cipro can have lasting bone and joint damage.
What changes do I need to make?
Don't ever start an antibiotic to prevent anthrax disease without direct and clear instructions from your doctor. If you already have obtained some Cipro to keep on hand, don't use it to treat cold or flu symptoms. Cipro, and other related drugs called fluoroquinolones, give us a powerful weapon against dangerous bacteria. However, if many people start taking fluoroquinolones indiscriminately, then these bacteria will develop resistance. This means that some of us will die from infection because despite given the right antibiotic, the drug will no longer be effective.
What can I expect in the future? Two weeks ago, most of us had never heard of anthrax. We now have learned that anthrax can be successfully treated with several antibiotics including penicillin, amoxicillin, doxycycline (a form of tetracycline), and a fluoroquinolone. Within a few days, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will provide guidelines on the best choices and dosing schedules.
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Bioterrorism Special Report
