Ciprofloxacin Oral

Uses This medication is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Ciprofloxacin belongs to a class of drugs called quinolone antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for virus infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

How to use Ciprofloxacin Oral Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using ciprofloxacin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. This medication may be taken with or without food, usually twice a day in the morning and evening or as directed by your doctor. The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take this medication 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking any medications or antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium. Some examples include quinapril, certain forms of didanosine (chewable/dispersible buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution), vitamins/minerals, antacids, dairy products (e.g., milk, yogurt), calcium-enriched juice, and sucralfate. Other products include bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc. These medications/products bind with ciprofloxacin and prevent its full absorption. However, this medication may be taken with dairy products or calcium-enriched juice as part of a meal because food helps prevent this effect. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about safely using nutritional supplements/replacements with this medication. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. It is important not to miss a dose. To help you remember and to keep the drug at a constant level, take it at the same times every day. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other quinolone antibiotics such as norfloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, or ofloxacin; or if you have any other allergies. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, certain heart problem (QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of a certain heart problem (QT prolongation in the EKG), heart problems (e.g., slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, heart failure, recent heart attack), joint/tendon problems (e.g., tendonitis, bursitis), kidney disease, liver disease, nervous system disorder (e.g., peripheral neuropathy), seizure disorder, conditions that increase your risk of seizures (e.g., brain/head injury, brain tumors, cerebral atherosclerosis), untreated low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood. This medication may rarely cause serious changes in blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes. Watch for symptoms of high blood sugar including increased thirst and urination. Also watch for symptoms of low blood sugar such as nervousness, shakiness, fast heartbeat, sweating, or hunger. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor and report any changes. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, you may raise your blood sugar by using glucose tablets/gel or eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor immediately about the reaction and the use of this product. To help prevent low blood sugar, eat meals on a regular schedule, and do not skip meals. This drug may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or taking part in any activity that requires alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to its possible side effects (e.g., joint/tendon problems). Discuss the risks and benefits with the doctor. Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, older adults may be more sensitive to its side effects such as tendon problems (especially if they are also taking corticosteroids such as prednisone or hydrocortisone) or heart problems. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney function, blood counts, cultures) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, depression, rare thoughts of suicide), shaking (tremors), skin that sunburns more easily (sun sensitivity).
Ciprofloxacin may rarely cause serious nerve problems that may be reversible if identified and treated early. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms: pain/numbness/burning/tingling/weakness in any part of the body, changes in how you sense touch/pain/temperature/body position/vibration.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: unusual bruising/bleeding, severe/persistent headache, signs of a new infection (e.g., new/persistent fever, persistent sore throat), unusual change in the amount of urine, change in color of urine (red/pink urine), signs of liver problems (e.g., unusual tiredness, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), vision changes.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe dizziness, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, seizures.
This medication may rarely cause tendon damage (e.g., tendonitis, tendon rupture) during or after treatment. Stop exercising, rest, and seek immediate medical attention if you develop joint/muscle/tendon pain or swelling.
This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (pseudomembranous colitis) due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have any of the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.
Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

See also the How to Use section.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: strontium, tizanidine, certain drugs that affect the heart rhythm (antiarrhythmics that may cause QT prolongation such as amiodarone, dofetilide, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol).
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting ciprofloxacin.
Other drugs besides ciprofloxacin and those listed above that may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation in the EKG) include certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin), and certain antipsychotic medications (e.g., pimozide, thioridazine, ziprasidone), among others. QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (e.g., severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical treatment. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may reduce the risk of this effect.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: live bacterial vaccines (e.g., typhoid, BCG), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, drugs removed from your body by certain liver enzymes (such as clozapine, duloxetine, phenytoin, ropinirole, tacrine), drugs for diabetes (e.g., glyburide, insulin), methotrexate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen), certain "water pills" (potassium-wasting diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), probenecid, sevelamer, theophylline, urinary alkalinizers (e.g., potassium/sodium citrate).
Also report the use of drugs that might increase seizure risk when combined with this medication such as isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine), or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas), eating large amounts of chocolate, or taking over-the-counter products that contain caffeine to keep you awake and alert. This drug may increase and/or prolong the effects of caffeine.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.