Talia’s life took such an unexpected and devastating turn after she went to her doctor for a urinary tract infection and was prescribed what she believed were routine antibiotics - now she needs 24-hour care to survive. “The doctor gave me Cipro,” she says. “I asked if there was anything I needed to know. They told me it was safe and effective. Three pills later, my life was turned upside down." Ciprofloxacin, commonly known as Cipro, is part of the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. Due to the potential for serious side effects, they can now only be prescribed in the UK if no other antibiotic is appropriate. In the US, the medication comes with seven black box warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the strongest warnings issued short of a ban.

But Talia, who lives in Norwood, Massachusetts, had no idea the drugs she was taking could cause serious problems. "I couldn’t walk, my entire body ached, my vision changed, and I had trouble swallowing," Talia says. Alarmed, she sought help at the emergency room.

"The doctor asked me: ‘Were you taking Cipro?’ I said yes, and that’s when he told me about the black box warning. I was shocked - had never even heard of a black box warning before.” Since 2008, the FDA has issued warnings about fluoroquinolones, highlighting risks such as tendon ruptures, nerve damage, and muscle wasting. The FDA also states that due to their permanent and disabling side effects, fluoroquinolone antibiotics should be used when no other treatment options are available. Talia says her doctor never mentioned these dangers. "What happened to me felt like a bomb going off in my body," she says. "And all from a drug I was told was perfectly safe." Talia’s health deteriorated swiftly after taking the drugs in April 2021. "I started experiencing tremors, unbearable nerve pain, and stiffness that left me unable to move. Within five months, I was in hospice care," she says. At her lowest point, Talia weighed just 4st 2lb pounds and needed 24/7 care. "I couldn’t lift my arms, couldn’t feed myself, and had to blend all my meals into a puree," she reveals. Her condition left her unable to care for her disabled veteran husband, Tim, who also relies on a wheelchair. "It’s devastating," Talia says. "I was the caregiver in our relationship, and now I need someone to care for me." Determined to turn her ordeal into a force for good, Talia took to TikTok, where her account has garnered over 1.4 million likes. Her raw, unfiltered posts detail her journey and warn others about the potential dangers of antibiotics. "I want people to know the risks," she says. "If a doctor prescribes you something, don’t just accept it blindly. Double-check, triple-check, and ask questions. Your health is too important to leave to chance. "What happened to me could happen to anyone.".