Reported and adjusted adverse events for Cipro and it’s generic ciprofloxacin (and derivatives) from 1996 through August 2019.   The FDA admits that only between 1% and 10% of all adverse events to pharmaceuticals ever get reported (1). 

Report Cases

Total Cases 41,507
Serious Cases (including deaths) 33,056
Death Cases 2,839

Adjusted Cases for 10% Reporting 

Total Cases 415,070
Serious Cases (including deaths) 330,560
Death Cases 28,390

Obviously, if the data was adjusted for 1% the numbers would be much, much higher.  From the data it is hard to extrapolate exact percentage of reporting.  It is probably variable between 1% and 10%, so, using the FDA’s admission, 10% is a conservative figure for the upper, or best, scenario.

(1) Heinrich, J. (2000, February 1). Adverse drug events: Substantial problem but magnitude uncertain. Testimony Before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, U.S. Senate. United States General Accounting Office (US GAO). Available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/he00053t.pdf

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