Antibiotics and Suicide: Dr. Charles Bennett Sounds the Alarm
There are two patterns of suicide: suicide type one is within one or two days of starting Cipro or Levoquin, and it's like a direct toxic effect on the brain, and suicide type two is several months or several years into chronic pain.
Ever thought antibiotics could have such severe side effects? In this episode of 'American Medicine Today', Dr. Charles Bennett, a leading expert in medication safety, sheds light on a troubling issue: the link between two widely used antibiotics, Cipro and Levoquin, and suicide. Dr. Bennett, who has twice petitioned the FDA to enhance warning measures for these drugs, discusses a report highlighting an alarming rise in suicide deaths connected to these medications.
His findings from the SONAR program reveal two distinct patterns of suicide – one happening within days of starting the antibiotics and another surfacing months or even years later, often in individuals suffering from chronic pain. With millions relying on these antibiotics globally, the potential impact on families is heart-wrenching. Despite his petitions being rejected, Dr. Bennett remains unwavering in his mission to raise awareness about these risks and push for greater responsibility from drug manufacturers and the FDA.
This episode isn't just an eye-opener for the medical community; it also emphasizes the urgent need for alternative treatments for infections and chronic pain, along with robust suicide prevention strategies.