Fluoroquinolone-Associated Disability (FQAD) - Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, Therapy and Diagnostic Criteria

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Introduction to FQAD

   • Stefan Pieper

   Pages 1-6

3. FQAD and Oxidative Stress/Mitochondrial Toxicity

   • Stefan Pieper

   Pages 7-16

4. FQAD and Musculoskeletal Damage/Collagen Disorder

   • Stefan Pieper

   Pages 17-25

5. FQAD and Neurotoxicity/Peripheral Neuropathy (PN)/Autonomic Neuropathy/Small Fibre Neuropathy

   • Stefan Pieper

   Pages 27-33

6. FQAD and Neuropsychiatric Adverse Effects

   • Stefan Pieper

   Pages 35-41

7. Diagnostic Criteria of the FQAD

   • Stefan Pieper

   Pages 43-60

8. Inside Story: Practical Experience with FQAD Patients

   • Stefan Pieper

   Pages 61-70

In this book, Stefan Pieper supports doctors and therapists in easily diagnosing FQAD and in better and more adequately dealing with FQAD patients. 


Fluoroquinolones, as one of the most common and effective groups of antibiotics, are known to have a distinct spectrum of side effects. These adverse effects are rare in percentage terms, but frequent in absolute numbers due to the enormous quantities of prescriptions. Because they are usually quite severe and wide-ranging, they tend to run like a syndrome and have been classified by the FDA as a separate condition, the FQAD, because of their frequency, severity and risk of disability.


This book presents for the first time a comprehensive description and classification of the clinical picture and a proposal for a clinical diagnostic tool based on diagnostic criteria.

• Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Criteria for FQAD
• Algorithm for Diagnosing FQAD
• “Floxed” Patients
• Antibiotics
• Fully Synthetic Antibiotics
• FDA
• Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee
• Fluoroquinolone - related Disability
• Side - effects of Fluoroquinolones
• Fluoroquinolones
• Ciprofloxacin
• Levofloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Side Effects
• Adverse Effects
• Neuropathy
• Tendopathy
• Fatigue
• Psychiatric Symptoms

• Konstanz, Germany

  Stefan Pieper

Dr. med. Stefan Pieper has been working in a practice for integrative medicine with a focus on mitochondrial medicine, acupuncture, nutrition and homeopathy for 25 years. During his time at the clinic, he worked for many years in internal medicine, anaesthesia and neonatal intensive care units. He is a paramedic and holds a British Diploma in Anaesthesia.

Dr. Pieper developed a diagnostic tool for the reliable detection of FQAD and he is one of the most experienced therapists in this field. With over 500 FQAD patients treated, he has an exceptionally high level of expertise.

Currently he is working together with the Centrum für Herz-, Kreislauf- und Gefäßmedizin, University of Berlin, Charité, on a study regarding the use of Fluoroquinolones and the risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection.

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