Many who took anthrax drugs quit and complained of side effects

ATLANTA - Federal officials reported Tuesday that less than half of the people who were prescribed a 60-day course of antibiotics for anthrax during last year&#39;s attacks completed the treatment, and a majority complained of side effects. <br> <br> Many postal workers, Senate office workers and media employees exposed to anthrax reported mild side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, headaches and dizziness, and a handful required hospitalization. <br> <br> Despite the problems, federal officials said the effectiveness of antibiotics during the attacks was ``reassuring&#39;&#39; because most of the side effects were mild and no one died from the treatment. <br> <br> Last fall, five people died and 13 others were made ill by inhalation anthrax that was found in mail or mail processing facilities in Washington, New York, New Jersey, Florida and Connecticut. <br> <br> Federal officials provided 3.5 million antibiotic tablets to the 10,000 people who were offered the 60-day treatment. <br> <br> Not surprisingly, officials found that the people more likely to stick to the program were those who thought they were probably exposed to the potentially deadly bacteria.