Using Antibiotics to Prevent Illness From Bioterrorism

Q. I have heard that an antibiotic called ciprofloxacin may protect me from getting anthrax. Should I ask my doctor for antibiotics to protect me from bioterrorism?
A. No. The risk of being a victim of bioterrorism, while real, is extremely low. There are several reasons why people should not take antibiotics when they do not have bacterial infections. Preventive measures, such as prophylactic (before infection) treatment with antibiotics, are not without risk, and in the absence of any evidence of a release of a biologic agent, have no benefit. Inappropriate use of antibiotics may lead to increased antibiotic resistance among microorganisms that cause common bacterial infections and may result in serious adverse events.

Stockpiling antibiotics like ciprofloxacin is also not recommended because it may rapidly deplete existing pharmaceutical supplies and prevent access to drugs needed treat patients now under normal clinical circumstances.

Q. If a bioterrorism event happens in a large city like Atlanta, how will I know there will be enough antibiotics to treat everyone, including me?
A. In the event of bioterrorism that may require antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals for Salt Lake County residents, a CDC-based National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) Program exists and would be deployed to a local community for mass treatment and prophylaxis in the event of a bioterrorist attack. The NPS is a national repository of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV administrationand airway maintenance supplies, and medical/surgical items. The first shipment of medications from the NPS would arrive within 12 hours, ensuring that treatment would not be delayed. Information about this program is available on the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/nps/default.htm.