Florida Sharkman Protocol

Overview

The Florida Sharkman Protocol is an anonymously developed, community-sourced regimen published at floridasharkman.org. It was created by an individual or group using the pseudonym “Florida Sharkman” and made publicly available in its current form on October 29, 2024. The protocol combines antiparasitic agents, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and a botanical compound in a staged schedule intended to target cancer, parasitic infections, and related conditions.

The regimen draws on the hypothesis, explored in preclinical research, that certain antiparasitic and antimicrobial drugs may have activity against cancer cells through mechanisms distinct from conventional chemotherapy. Compounds such as fenbendazole, ivermectin, and doxycycline have each been the subject of independent laboratory research examining their potential anti-cancer properties. The Florida Sharkman Protocol combines these agents into a structured sequence based on the originator’s interpretation of that research.

The protocol has circulated widely in online patient communities and forums. It is not affiliated with any clinical institution, has not been evaluated in formal clinical trials as a combined regimen, and should be regarded as an experimental community protocol. Individuals considering it should read the information at floridasharkman.org directly and consult a qualified healthcare professional before proceeding.

Dosage and Schedule — Protocol A

Protocol A is the primary 30-day cycle. The schedule is divided into phases, with compounds introduced and removed at specific intervals. Dosages below are as published on the originating website.

Days 1–7

• Doxycycline — 100 mg twice daily
• Fenbendazole — 50 mg/kg, taken in the evening
• Berberine — 1,200–1,500 mg daily, divided with meals

Days 8–14

• Doxycycline — 100 mg twice daily
• Ivermectin — 0.2 mg/kg once daily, taken on an empty stomach
• Berberine — 1,200–1,500 mg daily, divided with meals

Days 15–30

• Berberine — 1,200–1,500 mg daily, divided with meals

Days 17–19 (overlapping with Phase 3)

• Oxfendazole — 20 mg/kg, taken with a fatty meal

Day 23

• Moxidectin — 0.5 mg/kg

Dosing Notes

• Berberine: Take with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
• Doxycycline: Take on an empty stomach with a full glass of water; remain upright for at least 30 minutes after ingestion to avoid esophageal irritation.
• Fenbendazole: Take with the largest meal of the day to improve absorption.
• Ivermectin: Take on an empty stomach for consistent absorption.
• Oxfendazole: Take with a fatty meal to enhance bioavailability.
• Moxidectin: No specific food timing noted in the published protocol.

Mechanism of Action

The compounds in this protocol have each been investigated independently in preclinical settings. The following summaries reflect findings from laboratory research; they do not constitute evidence of clinical efficacy in humans when used as a combined regimen.

Fenbendazole

Fenbendazole is a benzimidazole anthelmintic that binds to tubulin, the protein subunit of microtubules. In cancer cell lines, it acts as a moderate microtubule-destabilizing agent, disrupting normal cell division. Research by Dogra et al. (2018) demonstrated that fenbendazole also causes mitochondrial translocation of p53 and inhibits glucose uptake by downregulating GLUT transporters and hexokinase II (HK II), a key glycolytic enzyme. This combination of microtubule disruption and glucose starvation represents its proposed anti-cancer mechanism at the cellular level.

Ivermectin

Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic that has been studied in cancer models for several distinct mechanisms. In oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, ivermectin was shown to suppress tumor growth and metastasis by promoting proteasome-dependent degradation of PAK1, a kinase involved in cell proliferation and survival. Separately, studies have shown ivermectin inhibits the WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway, which regulates tumor metastasis-related proteins. Ivermectin has also been reported to induce apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathways in multiple cancer cell lines.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is a tetracycline-class antibiotic used off-label in this context for its effects on mitochondrial function. Research published in Oncotarget demonstrated that doxycycline targets cancer stem cells (CSCs) by inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis — specifically by suppressing the expression of mitochondrial DNA-encoded proteins, reducing oxidative mitochondrial capacity, and pushing surviving cancer cells toward glycolytic metabolism. Lamb et al. (2015) showed that antibiotics targeting mitochondria, including doxycycline, effectively eradicate CSCs across multiple tumor types, describing the approach as “treating cancer like an infectious disease.”

Berberine

Berberine is a plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloid with well-documented metabolic effects. Its proposed anti-cancer activity is linked primarily to activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an energy-sensing enzyme that suppresses anabolic metabolism and tumor cell proliferation. Preclinical research shows that berberine activates AMPK, inhibits mTOR signaling, and suppresses glycolysis in cancer cells. It has also been identified as a candidate for targeting Doxycycline-resistant, glycolysis-dependent cancer stem cells, providing a potential rationale for its inclusion alongside doxycycline in a combined regimen.

Oxfendazole

Oxfendazole is a benzimidazole compound structurally related to fenbendazole. Like other members of this drug class, it acts by binding tubulin and disrupting microtubule polymerization. It is used primarily in veterinary medicine for parasite control. Its inclusion in the protocol on days 17–19 follows the same mechanistic logic as fenbendazole, with the staggered scheduling potentially intended to introduce a related compound at a different point in the cycle.

Moxidectin

Moxidectin is a long-acting macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic belonging to the milbemycin class, making it structurally related to ivermectin. It acts on glutamate-gated chloride channels in parasites, and like ivermectin, it has been explored in limited preclinical contexts for potential anti-cancer activity. Its inclusion on Day 23 of the protocol appears to extend avermectin-class coverage later in the cycle, though specific clinical evidence for moxidectin in oncology is considerably more limited than for ivermectin.

Additional Protocol Variations

The Florida Sharkman website describes several additional protocols beyond Protocol A. These include:

• Antiviral Protocol: A variant designed for virus-associated conditions, listed as a precursor or adjunct to Protocol B.
• Protocol B: A follow-on protocol recommended if infection is not cleared or for virus-caused cancers, following a two-week break after Protocol A or the Antiviral Protocol.
• Protocol C: An additional sequential protocol published on the website.
• Brain Cancer (GBM) Protocol: A variant specifically adapted for glioblastoma multiforme, taking into account blood-brain barrier considerations.
• Lyme Disease Protocol: A variant tailored for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illness.

Full details of each variant are available at floridasharkman.org/protocol/protocol/.

Important Considerations

This protocol has not been evaluated in formal clinical trials as a combined regimen. The information presented is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment protocol.

The Florida Sharkman Protocol is an anonymous community-developed regimen with no identified author, no peer review, and no institutional affiliation. It should not be treated as a clinically validated treatment. The compounds in this protocol have been studied in preclinical (cell and animal) models; this does not establish efficacy in humans.

Multiple prescription medications are included in this regimen. Doxycycline, ivermectin, oxfendazole, and moxidectin all require a prescription in most jurisdictions and must be used under medical supervision. Using prescription medications without oversight presents serious safety risks.

Potential drug interactions are a significant concern. Doxycycline is known to interact with several compound classes, including antacids, calcium supplements, and certain other antibiotics. Combining doxycycline with berberine — which can affect CYP3A4 enzyme activity — may alter drug levels unpredictably. Ivermectin has known interactions with drugs that affect the P-glycoprotein efflux pump. Any individual taking other medications should have potential interactions reviewed by a pharmacist or physician before proceeding.

High-dose fenbendazole at 50 mg/kg is substantially above the typical anthelmintic dose used in preclinical research. The safety profile of this dose in humans is not established.

Anyone using this or any protocol of this nature should be doing so under the care of an oncologist or other qualified physician who is aware of all medications being taken.