Ciprofloxacin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Son...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "NO ONE SHOULD BE GIVEN THIS MEDICATION CIPROFLOXACIN UNLESS IT IS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION! Horrible drug! I was given this medication 10 months ago for a simple UTI from kidney stones and my life is a complete nightmare now. It has put me in constant debilitating nerve pain, caused severe muscle atrophy, and central nervous system issues. I can no longer drive a car, or even sit more than a few minutes, cannot walk without tremors or risk of falling, it damaged my knees and caused severe spine pain, anxiety, insomnia, and dizziness. It has stolen my life. At 54 years old my independence is completely gone! They list these side effects as rare but there are hundreds of thousands of us out here with the same heartbreaking story..."

• Dre...
• January 4, 2016

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was suffering from a UTI for over 2 weeks. Burning had stopped but was losing my mind over how severe the urgency was. I got prescribed Macrobid. After 4 days of no relief, I went to the ER and got prescribed Cipro 500mg two times a day for 5 days. I took my second pill and my symptoms are 98% gone. The only side effect was a bit of anxiety after the first pill. But, this could've been because I had read so many scary reviews. I'm truly grateful for this drug. I was sleepless and restless to the point of depression. So happy something is finally helping!"

• Eye...
• January 7, 2018

For Sinusitis "This is the only antibiotic that works for my chronic sinusitis. I get infections often, and they are horrible. I get anxiety and depression when I'm that sick. Cipro is the only antibiotic that doesn't make my stomach sick. This medicine is almost as hard to get now as narcotics. It's ridiculous! After the first dose, there is improvement. If you were given this for a sinus infection, don't be afraid of it. It's a great antibiotic with fewer side effects than all the others. It's kicking the heck out of a month-long infection for me right now. I'm so happy. I was at rock bottom a few days ago. Finally, I'm getting better."

• Kis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

For Diverticulitis "Was given ciprofloxacin for suspected diverticulitis, which I ended up not having. After the second pill, I was having cognitive issues. After the third pill, I developed tachycardia, muscle weakness, numbness, and severe anxiety. I didn't take any more. It's been almost a year, and since I have developed pain in my muscles, joints, and tendons. My muscles are wasting away. I can't walk very far or for very long. I have hair loss, vision and hearing problems, worsened tinnitus, digestive issues, auditory hallucinations, and chronic fatigue. This drug has destroyed my life. DO NOT TAKE THIS CIPROFLOXACIN ANTIBIOTIC!!!"

• Spo...
• April 5, 2017

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I'm a 25-year-old woman, and I was prescribed Cipro for a UTI. I got 250 mg twice daily for three days. I got this yesterday, and today I've taken three pills in total. I have a horrid fear of vomiting, I become suicidal when I think I'm going to be sick. So I'm very particular and paranoid about my antibiotics. I usually respond well to antibiotics, but not this! I didn't vomit, thank goodness, but three pills in and I'm lightheaded, light sensitive, bloated like no other, abdominal pain, and kind of nauseous, itchy, and muscle pain. Not to mention my anxiety is sky-high! I'm writing this before my current panic attack makes me unable to write. Hope these side effects leave and don't stay! Very paranoid!"

• MIV...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2017

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was lucky enough to get most of the side effects from this drug. For the first two weeks, I lost my ability to walk. My entire body went numb (including my face), I had crippling anxiety, insane nightmares, and all of my major tendons were damaged. I had so much fatigue that I slept 18 hours a day. Thankfully, I was only sick for four months, but I lost my job and had to move back in with my parents. Now, I am okay. 0/10 would recommend. Even if you don't get a reaction the first time you take it, it is NOT WORTH TAKING. My friend's Achilles heels ruptured after her fifteenth round having no problems before that. Take another antibiotic or eat some garlic. I had $3,000 in medical bills."

• Sie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am 21, and I am extremely disappointed that I even took one pill. Since taking the pill, I have been experiencing dizziness and heart palpitations, had to revisit the ER literally the day after being prescribed this, and now need to be given a little heart monitor for 2 days. I have awful anxiety, and the side effects of this are bad anxiety?? I’m not even sure why I was prescribed this for my UTI if the side effects are so bad. I am upset at the lack of attention from the doctor at my local ER for not thinking this through. I am doing everything I can to get this out of my system, and I am NEVER taking this again."

• Sil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "On the first day, I felt very nervous and lots of anxiety. I have very weird dreams and felt like throwing up all the time. By the third day, I was so anxious that I had a severe panic attack. I thought I was going to pass out, and my heart was racing so fast I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I called for a new medication and was given another one that I reacted the same with, so I called again and asked for amoxicillin."

• Sil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Urinary Tract Infection "On the first day, I felt very nervous and lots of anxiety. I have very weird dreams and felt like throwing up all the time. By the third day, I was so anxious that I had a severe panic attack. I thought I was going to pass out, and my heart was racing so fast I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I called for a new medication and was given another one that I reacted the same with, so I called again and asked for amoxicillin."

• Liv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2017

Ciprofloxacin for Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed Elequin (also known as Proquin and Levaquin). They belong to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. From day one of taking this medication, I started having severe pain in my legs, back, and abdomen. I was on this antibiotic for seven days, twice a day. It's been months since I finished that course of antibiotics, and I have multiple torn tendons, a compressed urinary bladder, severe nerve damage, daily digestive issues, abdominal pain, and severe anxiety. It was one of the worst decisions I have ever made in my life to follow that gynecologist's instructions and take this medication. I've made it a priority of mine to warn others of the dangers involved in taking these very harmful and toxic antibiotics."

• kar...
• June 7, 2015

For Sinusitis "Terrible problem with sinus issues and drainage for many, many years. This year, almost one infection per month on average. Resistant to most antibiotics, according to ENT. My internist prescribed Cipro on a flare-up (drainage, headache, green discharge). Tried this, and on the 2nd day, remarkable improvement. Also, achiness in joints, trouble sleeping the next night, anxiousness. Cut back to one pill in the morning instead of the prescribed two. Side effects are about 80% less, and I do believe it is still very effective. Shortly after taking the pill, it seems to make me want to cough phlegm like Mucinex D (phlegm almost non-existent after 3 days), and it gave me an unbelievable dry cough. Seems very effective medicine, but has very strong side effects."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "This drug nearly destroyed my life and continues to haunt me daily. Don't say it can't happen to you. I was very athletic and had school records in wrestling, never had any health issues until I took this stuff. Since taking it, my muscles and tendons are damaged all over my body. I nearly went blind permanently. Severe anxiety. Severe food allergies. Can't eat gluten anymore. Nearly destroyed my marriage. Could no longer play with my kids. I am now picking up the pieces of the damage this drug has done to my life 7 years later. My advice is never take CIPRO or LEVOQUIN or any drug in this family of antibiotics. There are 7 families of antibiotics, they can give you another kind. Don't let them talk you into this garbage by telling you that this can't happen to you. It can and does very often happen. Read all of the other reviews. They are true. There are many support groups that you can talk to also for victims of this poison. You have been warned."

• Raw...
• March 20, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "Tremors, anxiety, panic attacks, brain fog, insomnia, intolerance towards many foods, medicines, vitamins, and supplements, concentration issues, light sensitivity, heart palpitations, difficulty in reading and understanding, spells of severe depression, weakness, fatigue, delayed and slow reactions to situations and questions, spells of memory loss - despite taking it 14 months ago! It has destroyed the abilities and the intelligence of a poet, an intellectual thinker, a guy known for witty replies and unmatched sense of humor and timing. This poison has changed the personality of a guy named Rawal Afzal - myself, that is! I'll never, ever take it again, or any drugs in the class of fluoroquinolone or quinolone, even as eye or ear drops."

• Lyn...
• July 6, 2016

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Cipro caused me to have horrible panic attacks. I have been dealing with anxiety for the last 1.5 years, but had been doing so much better the last 5 months or so. I was prescribed it for a UTI, after my original antibiotic wouldn't be covered by insurance and I couldn't afford it. I will never take it again if I can help it at all. It has set me back so much, and even though I've finished it up over a week ago, I am dealing with worsened anxiety still. I know it was the medication. I haven't been that bad since I started having trouble to begin with. It was awful. I've also had a lot of stomach issues since and can't help but wonder if it was the medication. I think the stuff is like poison for some people!!"

• Dun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 23, 2018

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Search up Quinolone Toxicity on the internet before taking this potent drug. I had repeated courses for UTI/Kidney infections from 1993 to 2008. I believe this drug has ruined my life. I have ME/CFS, anxiety/depression, Achilles tendinitis of both heels, persistent severe dermatitis, to name just a few. If I had been made aware of the possibility of serious and lifelong side effects, I would never have agreed to take this poison. I went from being an energetic sporty person who worked 2 jobs simultaneously because I liked being busy and social, and now to someone who hasn't been able to work since 2002. Don't take ANY of the Quinolone Antibiotics unless it's literally a matter of life or death and you have no other options."

• Pan...
• June 13, 2019

For Prostatitis "After 27 days of my 30-day prescribed cycle, I threw in the towel. My symptoms were not improving at all, and it was making me very emotional, to say the least. There is a book out there by Milton Krisiloff called the 'Anti-Inflammatory Diet Revolution.' Dr. Krisiloff was the personal urologist of President Reagan from 1988 to 2004. Dr. Krisiloff says the elimination of three things: caffeine, alcohol, and hot/spicy foods will allow your prostate to heal. 90% of male patients that went to Dr. Krisiloff showed a complete reduction and elimination of symptoms, provided they stuck to the diet. I have taken it upon myself to go on an anti-inflammatory diet as well. And I have to tell you... my symptoms are improving. The burning sensation in my urine is lessening, and my urges to urinate are less and less as I go. I'm hopeful that following Dr. Krisiloff's suggestions will help me. Cipro did not. At all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2021

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Please don’t take these pills, the damage it causes is irreversible! I took two pills, one in the morning and another in the evening, and I started feeling tingling and burning in my lower arms and legs that night. The next day, I couldn’t walk and had to crawl to the bathroom and had pain in all my joints. In the weeks and months following, I experienced neuropathy in my hands and feet, blurred vision, tendinitis, tinnitus, insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, unable to regulate my body temperature, cracking joints throughout my entire body anytime I moved, my hair got very coarse like brush bristles, my nails became deformed and brittle, and many of my teeth broke or cracked. Cipro combined with NSAIDs, steroids, and other drugs that cross the blood-brain barrier are deadly."

• Mat...
• May 18, 2017

For Prostatitis "Well, where can I begin? I had been prescribed Cipro for a suspected prostate infection for 2 weeks. The side effects were hell. After the first week, I suffered from severe anxiety, bad bloating, and not going to the washroom enough. Keep in mind I have anxiety problems to begin with, and this drug only made it worse. I kept thinking that I was dying and something was seriously wrong with me. I'm a 26-year-old healthy male who is a bit of a fitness buff. I laid off the gym for the entire 2 weeks due to depression and anxiety. Probably a good thing, though. On the last couple of days of my antibiotics, that's when I suffered from very bad joint pain. They were very sensitive, especially in my left Achilles heel. I ended up tossing the last pill."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2016

For Bladder Infection "Within hours of taking the generic Cipro and AZO, I felt much better. I was only having pain and urgency the morning before I went to the doc. I'm on day 3, and the past two days I've been lethargic, groggy, and bloated. The first night had some anxiety, but I think that's from reading the side effects before going to sleep (eeek). I have had some mood swings as well. Hopefully, I only need to take it for 5 days instead of 7 - waiting for my lab result of how severe the infection was - I hate taking antibiotics."

• lua...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Kidney Infections "This was a rough go for me. I couldn't sleep, I was anxious and totally out of it. I continued to take it because I know you are supposed to finish the whole round, but I would wake up my partner every 45 minutes asking him to feel my chest and to check to see if I was dying. This drug really messed me up, so I went to the ER and they switched me to amoxicillin. I refuse to take this again, it was the worst."

• Tyl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2013

Ciprofloxacin for Prostatitis "On my fifth day of Cipro and Flomax, age 19, with severe prostatitis. Feeling very dizzy and lightheaded. Anxiety attacks for 30 seconds, but then go away. Hopefully, by the second or third week, I start to feel better!"

• Rsk...
• October 1, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Okay, so I’ve used this garbage a couple of times now because the doctors in my area have abandoned all other forms of antibiotics. So, second time using it to treat a UTI, and this drug is so awful to me! First night, not even 12 hours after taking it, I had a severe headache! The worst I’ve ever had in my life. Can’t take aspirin or ibuprofen with this garbage because it could react to it. Went home, went to sleep, next day sick! Nauseous, hot dry skin, face and neck hurt/burned. Took more of the junk, just continued feeling sick. Today woke up still feeling like garbage, and it started affecting my sleep. I took more of it, this is what I experienced at work: extremely hot neck and face, extremely cold hands. Hot all day, sudden anxiety attack, chest tightening, couldn’t breathe, my whole body was numb, came home, face and neck still burning/itching/hot. Arm hurts, hands tingly, hand tendon hurts. I will never take this medicine again."

• Wor...
• January 12, 2020

For Prostatitis "Was prescribed a 10-day course of Cipro (2 x 500 mg dose per day) for suspected prostatitis. It didn't clear up any of the symptoms but caused more problems. Had muscle aches (particularly in the hands after taking it). Also had anxiety and agitation while taking the medicine. The most concerning thing, however, is the neuropathic pain. Itching, crawling, and occasional shooting sensations. These are all over the body but particularly in the feet, especially the left one. They come and go. At one point, it was physically unpleasant to wear shoes, although this is slightly better than it was a couple of weeks ago. Four weeks after finishing, the stinging/itching is still present. It doesn't stop me from moving or working but has affected my quality of life. I have type 1 diabetes, which can cause neuropathy also. I did NOT have these symptoms prior to taking Cipro, but cannot be certain if the reaction is due to the Cipro on its own or due to weakness as a result of the existing condition."

• gma...
• May 8, 2016

Ciprofloxacin for Prostatitis "Cipro is horrible poison, and it has had a negative impact on my quality of life. I took 500 mg 2x a day for prostatitis. On day 5, I developed severe fatigue, brain fog, neuropathy, severe anxiety, and blurred vision. My prescription was for 10 days, but I stopped taking it that day. A few days later, I developed Achilles tendonitis and was unable to walk for 3 weeks. Recovery has been slow, challenging, and expensive; one year later (almost to the day), I am still not recovered, although I am better. I learned a painful and expensive lesson: I will never ever again in my life take a fluoroquinolone antibiotic or blindly trust the judgment of an allopathic physician. The not-so-silver lining is it did nothing for my prostatitis."

• YMA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2023

For Bladder Infection "Please be careful with this medicine if you are predisposed to mental health conditions - this made my anxiety significantly increase. I had the worst panic attack I’ve ever experienced after taking the second dosage and was in a constant state of anxiety for days after stopping (I stopped after 3 pills and switched meds). I suffer from health anxiety, and this medication worsened it. I appreciate they may work for some people but just wanted to warn those who suffer from anxiety to be aware."