https://katiecouric.com/health/bobby-caldwell-death-floxed-antiobiotics/ Questions to ask your doctor anytime you’re prescribed medication: Exactly what is this drug and how does it work? What are ALL of its possible side effects? Has it been given a black box warning? Would you take this drug yourself? Black box warnings, also called boxed warnings, are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for certain medications that carry serious safety risks. Often these warnings communicate potential rare but dangerous side effects, or they may be used to communicate important instructions for safe use of the drug. They appear printed in bold font surrounded by a black border on the insert that comes inside a medication’s packaging, and on the drug manufacturer’s website, if it has one. The warnings are intended to call attention to certain risks or instructions so that healthcare professionals will be aware of them and carefully consider them when prescribing medications to patients. If a medication you're taking carries risk that warrants a black box warning, the risks and benefits are something your healthcare provider should discuss with you. If the warnings involve a serious adverse reaction and are applicable to a particular patient, the provider should discuss them with that patient before prescribing the medication.