Ciprofloxacin and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Dr. prescribed 500 mg twice a day for 5 days. The UTI was horrible, but I’ve never experienced such horrible side effects from an antibiotic. Nausea was debilitating, I was fighting to keep from vomiting. Couldn’t drive because it had my head swirling. Headaches too! I stuck with it because the UTI scared me, but after just taking the last dose, I’m still certain my UTI is lingering. Maybe I’m imagining this, but my thinking and moods seem to have been dark. I regret taking this drug."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2016

For Kidney Infections "I had a kidney infection, and my doctor prescribed ciprofloxacin for 3 days, and boy, the infection is gone, but the side effects are just so intense! I had throbbing headaches. I couldn't think straight. Got a major fever, my face turned red. I was so miserable. The drug definitely got rid of the infection, but fair warning: it was as if I had a bad acid trip."

• Cyn...
• April 6, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I've been on ciprofloxacin for 3 days now for a urinary tract infection, and I don't know what's worse... the pain from the actual infection or the horrible feeling this medication has given me. Every time I take it, it gives me a headache, I feel drained and dizzy, and it gives me this restless anxiety attack feeling. I hope that at the end of my 7-day cycle it will be worth it, but so far I feel worse than better."

• KKa...
• May 2, 2016

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I went to the ER last night because of a pulled back muscle that occurred 2 weeks ago. The pain (lower back) was just unbearable! And when the pain also moved up to my kidney, I thought, 'Okay, something is seriously wrong here.' Turns out I had a pretty bad UTI that I didn't know about (NONE of the usual symptoms, pee flow regular, no spotting, etc.). 1st time ever being prescribed Cipro, 500 mg 2x a day. Took 1st dose immediately after filling my script (10 pm), second one 12 hrs later (10 am). By morning, I had severe dry mouth after taking the 2nd dose, so I started drinking a Gatorade and immediately started vomiting. My kidney hurts more than it did before going to the ER, headache since last night, and I'm only on day 1 :("

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

Ciprofloxacin "Taking quinolones is like playing Russian roulette with your life. There are many websites sharing one's experiences/destroyed lives after only 1-2 taken pills. Doctors tend to ignore or not take the risks seriously as it's only being researched recently, and it may not be statistically significant (yet). Please always ask for antibiotics from another group. There's currently nothing worse on the market being prescribed. Urological antibiotics generally come with a bunch of creepy side effects, but this is life and death. Permanent effects like neuropathy are something entirely different than getting an upset stomach, headaches, or an allergic reaction lasting only for a few days. Do your research, it's your life."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2020

Ciprofloxacin for Sinusitis "Took this for a sinus infection. Did not clear it up, but about 4 weeks later I had neuropathy in my face, which then spread down over my whole body. Muscle spasms, arthritis, vertigo, blurred vision, headaches, burning nerve pain, tendonitis, even my hair started falling out. Had to do PT just to use my right leg again. Went to multiple neurologists and doctors, but they could not figure it out. Almost a year later, I was given Cipro again and immediately felt like my whole body was on fire. This was around the time they were having hearings at the FDA to add all the black box warnings, so my new doctor figured it out. 5 years later and I'm better, but still can't hike or do things I used to love, and still have nerve and tendon issues. Don't ever take Cipro!"

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2011

Ciprofloxacin for Bladder Infection "I am on my 3rd day of taking ciprofloxacin, and it's working great. Although I do get intense headaches, I would rather that short term rather than have the constant feeling of needing to go to the toilet."

• 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."

• DoN...
• May 4, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was told by my doctor to take ciprofloxacin 500 mg for a potential UTI. Took 1, and after 4 hours, everything went downhill. My side effects were I couldn't breathe, chest tightening, headache, fatigue, pain in my arms and legs... you name it. I went to the doctor for a checkup and came out worse. DO NOT TAKE THIS!"

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2016

For Kidney Infections "I am taking this medicine for a bladder infection, which I have quite often. It wasn't prescribed to me by my doctor, who usually prescribes (Pinamox), which by the way gives me zero side effects. Straight away after I took the first dose, which was 500 mg, I was feeling very dizzy and nauseous. I thought I could put up with that feeling, but I'm now on day 2. I could barely get out of bed from nausea in the morning but managed to get myself together, but felt all day like I was about to collapse with severe joint pains and a headache, which got even worse. I went to bed, but when I did, it felt like I was literally drunk and kept vomiting all night. I won't take the next dose or ever take this medicine again, as it feels like taking poison."

• DDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I took Cipro the first day prescribed. By the next morning, I was uncontrollably itching from head to toe, red as a horrible sunburn, heart racing a mile a second. I went back to the doctor and spent 4 hours on IV, and a couple of injections later, I went home with a horrible headache."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2025

Ciprofloxacin "This drug was given as part of a cancer treatment protocol prophylactically to ward off infection due to very low white blood cell counts of 1000 or less. Prescribed at 500 mg tid. My experience with it was horrible; I had headache, pain behind the eyes, excessive heart rate, and difficulty walking. After three days, I quit taking it. I think there are other, safer antibiotics out there for most infections or preventative use."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2012

For Bladder Infection "I've had a couple of bladder infections. This is the first time I've taken Cipro. It did its job and got rid of the infection and relieved my symptoms pretty quickly. But the side effects made it so I couldn't wait to be done with the medicine. It made my knees ache, gave me terrible, terrible headaches, and made me extremely tired. Also, it was quite agitating not being able to take my vitamins or milk. I am grateful to have my bladder infection gone, but these side effects were not enjoyable."

• Wis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was super hesitant to take this, but didn't want to be overly paranoid and wanted my UTI to clear up. My UTI is gone, but by dose 6, I couldn't take it. Dose 4/5 I was exhausted, hardly could get through work, and woke up with excruciating calf cramp and headache. My cramp won't go away, and I'm hoping by discontinuing this horrid medicine, it will go away soon (looks like it stays in your body 22 hours). I don't think this should be a casually prescribed medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was diagnosed with a kidney infection a few days ago, and the doctor prescribed me this medicine. I read all these reviews, and it made me nervous, but I decided I would just take it. I took two doses and quickly had horrible side effects. I have been on many antibiotics, and I’ve never felt the way I do now. I could not sleep last night, was sweating horribly, woke up this morning with muscle aches in my hands and the worst anxiety I have ever experienced. I felt like I was going to die. It’s now been 12 hours since my last dose, and I still do not feel myself. I have a headache, feel very down and tired, and just not myself. I wouldn’t wish this feeling on my worst enemy. This is awful. This drug should be taken off the market. I'm glad some people have better experiences, but I called my doctor, and they said to stop it immediately and called in something else. My doctor told me this antibiotic has a high chance of causing anxiety in people and brain fog. Never again."

• Sen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2015

For Bladder Infection "Oh, where do I start! Well, I had the bladder infection for 3 days prior to going to the doctor. He prescribed me cipro, and the infection stayed the same. I gained many other side effects from this antibiotic to add to the wonderful pain and discomfort I was already in: nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and sharp stomach pains. Not impressed, for I paid a whopping amount of 30 dollars! Not satisfied!"

• bm1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "Everyone reacts differently to medications. For me, Cipro is always a fast-acting antibiotic. I've only taken it a few times for severe UTIs/kidney infections, and it helped tremendously within the first few days. With the amount of pain I've gotten from UTIs, I'd be willing to risk the crazy side effects that some people have had. I rarely take antibiotics unless I have to. This one will treat just about anything, and I've only experienced a few minor side effects like nausea, dizziness, agitation, headache, fatigue, and stomach upset. Nothing too crazy."

• Ren...
• September 10, 2016

For Bladder Infection "I took Cipro for 5 days. It made me sick! I had nausea, body aches, chills, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness! My UTI is gone. I took the last pill 2 days ago, and the drug hasn't completely left my body yet! I'm not taking Cipro ever again!"

• ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am 22, in training for a half marathon, and have taken very few antibiotics previously. Was given this for 5 days for a UTI. After the first pill (2 hours), I felt a bit strange.... tingling in hands and later a bad headache. The next morning, I had strange aches and pains, but didn't really associate them with the drug, so I took the next dose. Stupidly, I went for a very slow run (the UTI was subsiding). 4 hours later, I couldn't walk properly. Day 3 - no more pills for me, but after reading up on this drug, I realized it is doing me great harm. I still can't talk properly and have strange pains all over my legs, ankles, and especially the inner gluteal area. Hope I haven't done too much damage.... chances of doing the run look really slim."

• Con...
• June 5, 2020

For Kidney Infections "This medicine, ciprofloxacin, is horrible. It was given to my daughter for a kidney infection, and it gave her headaches, fever, back pain, and nausea. Gonna call the doctor and ask them to change this medicine."

• UTI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I got a UTI while on holiday in Spain. I was given ciprofloxacin to take for seven days. It took four days before I experienced any relief. Even at that, I still could feel the UTI symptoms. I had a pounding headache for the first three days of taking it, but I didn't care if it was going to help me with the pain of my UTI. The medication takes a long time to start working, and only for the painkillers the doctor also prescribed I wouldn't have had any relief. It seems very weak. When you have a UTI, you need the medicine to start working hard right away because the pain and discomfort are so horrendous! Sometimes I wonder, do doctors really understand the pain, discomfort, and stress a UTI or bladder infection can cause."

• Itl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm one of those anxious patients that look up the possible side effects of every med before taking now... due to having a severe reaction to Zoloft. Before that reaction, I was never scared of meds. I was absolutely terrified to take this, but I had a UTI and so I had to take it. Once I did, I had absolutely 0 side effects. I get a headache if I don't eat with it, but I wouldn't really even consider that a side effect. Not even one bad thing happened to me... several people have posted such horror stories, and it just scares people like me. Believe me, I'm terrified of meds, and this one is a breeze for me to take. If you need it, you have to force yourself to take it, and hopefully, like me, you'll have a great experience. Good luck."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2017

Ciprofloxacin for Prostatitis "30-day prescription up to 60. After the first week of mild nausea and mild diarrhea, I developed a weird tightness in my right hip, severe tennis elbow, and weird pain/headache behind my left eye for 2-3 days, bloating, some nights unable to sleep due to insomnia and tremors/weird body vibrations. Mornings were hell due to my coffee drinking and the foggy brain. Do not drink coffee while taking this! 3 weeks after stopping, I still have some prostatitis symptoms but have greatly improved. However, the side effects from the med of muscle tightness, brain fog, foot pain, hip pain, back tightness, lack of appetite, and fatigue still remain but seem to be subsiding a bit. I wish the docs would explain the meds they prescribe, but I don't think they really know!"

• Sac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed ciprofloxacin for a UTI. And by the second day, I was back at the ER. I felt absolutely horrible, this medicine made me feel so sick. My head was pounding, my eyelids felt heavy, so much like gas in my stomach. I will never take this medicine again, my hands and fingers are numb at least 2 days after stopping the medicine. I would rather take a longer treatment of Keflex than take this medicine, and it spiked my blood sugar also!!"

• nay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2020

For Kidney Infections "I was prescribed Cipro for my kidney infection two nights ago. Yesterday, I had an allergic reaction to the Cipro. I was feeling all of the side effects: dizziness, headache, nausea, lightheadedness; also had loss of appetite. My throat had swelled up due to this medication, so no other medication went down my throat, and luckily I hadn't eaten solid foods. Because it had swelled up, I also could not breathe normally. I had constant shortness of breath. I revisited the health center and was told that I had an allergic reaction to this med and that this medication is not recommended whatsoever since it is outdated. Beware if you are given Cipro; I would suggest having it swapped out for another medication. I could have easily died if I took another dose, and if my throat swelled up even more, I wouldn't be able to catch a breath. I really feel lucky that I got the help quickly."