Ciprofloxacin and Weakness: 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..."

• Max...
• November 8, 2019

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I took my second Cipro pill today out of a 7-day dosage. The burning sensation has almost disappeared, as well as the bladder pressure. However, the back pain is still strong. Side effects include diarrhea, weakness, and sleeping problems, but it’s tolerable. I will come back with an update on day 3."

• 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!!!"

• Lei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "This drug (Cipro) caused me irreversible joint damage after 2 pills. It also caused weakness, high blood pressure, and mental changes. I was weak and unstable for months after use. Years later, I still have joint damage. I would NOT recommend, even though it did clear my UTI. This drug should be used as a last resort, only in a life or death situation when permanent joint damage is better than the alternative."

• Xuy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2015

For Sinusitis "I took Cipro for a sinus infection along with bronchitis. It worked very well, but I didn't like the fact that I had to avoid dairy and take my multivitamin at a small window of opportunity during the day. Cipro made me very tired and weak, also a little fuzzy. The plus side was I slept great at night, and it cured my infections."

• 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."

• Lol...
• June 29, 2014

For Kidney Infections "Was prescribed this medication along with Augmentin and Paracetamol following the diagnosis of an advanced kidney infection. Four days later and I feel a little better in terms of the infection, but the side effects have been awful. Constant feelings of extreme fatigue and weakness. Low energy levels; feels like the wind has been knocked out of me. Feelings of nausea and stomach ache for up to two hours after taking it! I have taken this medicine exactly as instructed by my local pharmacist. Guess it just doesn't agree with me."

• Bob...
• March 30, 2017

Ciprofloxacin for Prostatitis "I was to take Cipro for a prostate problem for weeks. I took it for approximately two weeks, and my Achilles tendon in my left leg ruptured completely. This event has changed my life in a very negative way. In 2014, the drug description listed near the end that it may weaken tendons. In 2015, the informational sheet listed at the top that it will cause weakness or rupture of tendons in adults over 60 years of age. On December 20, 2015, I lost my balance in my garage attic, hit my head on a rafter, was knocked out, and fell through the attic floor, 12 feet, and broke my back. I now have two 8-inch rods and 8 screws. My wound on my leg still hadn't healed, so in November 2016, I had the permanent stitch in my Achilles removed, it was infected."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "I'm 31 years old, and I was given Cipro for a bladder infection. Was told to take 500 mg every 12 hours. I took two pills on the first day, in the morning and 12 hours later that evening. I woke up the next morning and had slight pain in the back of my knee, did not think too much about it and took another pill for that morning. An hour later, I had trouble walking, and it got worse every hour from there on. It's a few days later now, and my leg is showing no signs of getting better. I cannot walk without limping, have a burning sensation around my knee, the tendons from my knee down to my ankle are in constant pain, I have a sharp pain between or in what feels like the joint of my knee, and it feels uncomfortable all the time, and the leg seems weak or lame with a limited amount of motion. I would recommend taking anything other than Cipro if possible."

• Coa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Prostatitis "I took this ciprofloxacin medication for prostatitis, and less than 2 weeks later, I am now in a wheelchair. I have so much weakness in my legs. My Achilles tendons hurt so bad. I just got out of the doctor's office, and he said, 'this is as bad as it gets.' My nerve pain through my hands and spine hurts a 10/10. Ciprofloxacin has ruined my life."

• Kat...
• November 2, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "If you had a bad reaction to CIPRO, take activated charcoal caps ASAP!!! It will help your body not absorb the medicine and drink lots of water. I took 4 doses and initially for a UTI, I was feeling better, but this morning after the 4th dose, I felt horrible. Dizzy, spaced out, weak, and weird feelings in my head. I drank a bunch of water and took the charcoal and feel 85% better about 1.5 hours later. I'm requesting Zythromax (Z-Pack) instead because I've taken that before with no issue, and it's a drug on the list to help UTIs. Just waiting for the doctor to get back with me. Anyway, I hope this review helps someone. The activated charcoal is also great if you have food poisoning! It's like a miracle helper."

• BJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

For Bacterial Infection "I was given ciprofloxacin for a possible infection after a stent was placed in my ureter during an OR procedure. After 3 pills, I had tendon pulls, weakness on my left side, abdominal pain, electric zaps in my legs and abdomen, fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, itching, etc. I could hardly walk for 5 months. Thought I would end up in a wheelchair. 2 years later, I still deal with pain, weakness, anxiety, brain fog, tendon pulls, abdominal pain."

• 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."

• Rub...
• October 27, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I've taken a lot of antibiotics in my life, and I've never had a bad reaction. I took one dose to treat a UTI and had extreme joint pain (mostly knees), dizziness, ear ringing, etc. Thought I was crazy till I googled it and found that this isn't uncommon. A day later I still feel horrible - spaced out, weak legs, etc. Do not take this and tell your friends and family."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2020

For Kidney Infections "Was prescribed ciprofloxacin for a kidney infection, and I would honestly rather have the kidney infection. After two days of taking it, my neck became sore and then numb. I had tingling and numbness in different spots of my body. I felt so tired I could barely lift my head up, my muscles felt weak and shaky. The thing that scares me the most is the numbness. I'm calling my doctor and asking for a different antibiotic. Would not recommend, I don't think it's safe for anyone. I've never had a reaction like this to an antibiotic before."

• mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2018

For Bladder Infection "Severe chronic nerve pain, muscle pain, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, inflammation of tendons (tendons proved by MRI). Swelling. Symptoms for 7 months and getting worse. Took the drug for 10 days. Taken the drug about 6 times total in 20 years."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took this drug for a very minor UTI. I was an athlete all my life with no issues taking any medications. A week on this antibiotic left me weak and in pain to the point of complete disability. I lost 10% of my body mass in less than a week from taking this. It has been 3 years since I took this medication, and I still have neuropathy in my extremities, extreme weakness in every muscle, continued muscle wasting, and increasing prevalence of hypointense bone marrow that is causing pernicious anemia because Cipro is one of the only drugs that passes through your blood-brain barrier and can get into bone marrow. It has destroyed the mitochondria in my marrow’s stem cells. I cannot work. My quality of life is not sufficient. I’m on my last $150, and I can’t afford my medical bills anymore, all from taking this horrible drug for a simple infection."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took this drug for a very minor UTI. I was an athlete all my life with no issues taking any medications. A week on this antibiotic left me weak and in pain to the point of complete disability. I lost 10% of my body mass in less than a week from taking this. It has been 3 years since I took this medication, and I still have neuropathy in my extremities, extreme weakness in every muscle, continued muscle wasting, and increasing prevalence of hypointense bone marrow that is causing pernicious anemia because Cipro is one of the only drugs that passes through your blood-brain barrier and can get into bone marrow. It has destroyed the mitochondria in my marrow’s stem cells. I cannot work. My quality of life is not sufficient. I’m on my last $150, and I can’t afford my medical bills anymore, all from taking this horrible drug for a simple infection."

• Lil...
• November 2, 2019

For Kidney Infections "Had cystitis for one month - 2 different sets of antibiotics did not work - a few days later woke with bad cystitis, fever, chills, pain, dizzy, sick - had a kidney infection! Put on Cipro for 7 days, twice a day - on day 6, now think infection is gone but still have some back pain. Cipro makes me very tired and weak and also a bit not with it - woozy. I have been drinking fresh ginger in hot water 3 times a day - helps nausea and also gets my fluid intake up - it really helps - I think Cipro is good and seems to be the only thing that helps me with cystitis. Drs won’t prescribe as first line or second line - now my GP decided to test me to see why I get cystitis so often. I have to persevere with this Cipro now but my body is weak and tired from prolonged infection."

• Nin...
• January 7, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Please, please do not take this antibiotic! It is poison to the human body! Doctors will prescribe it, but please, you will regret it! Your tendons, muscles, immune system, everything will become weak. I had never been this sick in my life, and ciprofloxacin 500 mg is the cause. Please take another route."

• Nin...
• January 7, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "Please, please do not take this antibiotic! It is poison to the human body! Doctors will prescribe it, but please, you will regret it! Your tendons, muscles, immune system, everything will become weak. I had never been this sick in my life, and ciprofloxacin 500 mg is the cause. Please take another route."

• sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2016

For Diverticulitis "I went to the doctor for simple gas pains. Bladder was checked and bowels were checked. No blood was found. Was sent for an immediate blood test which showed signs of infection. Was prescribed Cipro and Flagyl and was sent for barium for CT scan of the abdomen the next morning. The barium produced severe diarrhea, but CT showed acute inflammation of the colon. I took the Cipro and Flagyl and was nauseated and had diarrhea for 7 days. I finished the Flagyl, but had 3 more days of Cipro to go. On the 8th day, the nausea and weakness were so bad along with back pain and joint pain. I couldn't take it anymore, so I quit the Cipro 2 days early. 24 hours later, I resumed my multivitamins and Simvastatin and had a little diarrhea, but it has stopped now."

• Oel...
• January 22, 2020

For Sinusitis "I took 2,500 mg total over the course of 3 days, which consisted of a 500 mg dose twice a day. On the third day, I stopped my treatment after feeling extremely tired and fatigued from just the simplest of chores. Side effects I suffered are weakness, internal vibrations, depersonalization, immense dread, fear, depression, suicidal thoughts, nerve pain, tingling sensations, out-of-body sensations, memory loss, eye strain, dry eye, ear pressure, stomach problems, stiff joints, balance issues, and that's all been on and off since I stopped taking the cipro. Many have been impacted in a negative way by this drug. Please, if you have the option, go take another antibiotic that is not a fluoroquinolone. I beg you to think twice about glancing over the warnings that come with your medication because this drug is no joke and can cause serious harm! I'm a year out, and in some aspects, I have improved, but in others, I'm still healing and looking forward to the day I'm back to my previous bill of health."

• Tar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I decided to try Cipro for UTI (urinary tract infection). Knowing all of the side effects, I got myself the 'FQ toxicity pack' (Q10, magnesium, vit E, probiotics) first. Had no coffee or Advil for several days in advance. I took 1 500 mg pill, with Pepto Bismol, after dipping it into olive oil (sad experience with Septra). Within an hour, my blood pressure dropped to 99/75, stomach started to go bubbly, then I got dizzy, relaxed, and sleepy. This kind of how I feel on Xanax. Next, I started to have shooting burning pains in my both arms, and my right arm felt irritated when I lightly touched it. Some weakness and alienation in arms and legs. Strong rapid heartbeat later that night. I thought it all was heading to neuropathy and decided to stop there. But!!! The symptoms were somewhat gone even after 1 pill! So, it is a great potent drug, just not for me, unfortunately:("

• Yog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2019

For Kidney Infections "Was prescribed this for a kidney infection. After only one dose, experienced: nightmares, insomnia, paranoia, an odd feeling of being out of my body. By the 3rd dose, I was afraid to go into a dark room, was crying constantly, and had feelings of overwhelming doom. By dose 5, my legs were tingling and weak and psychological symptoms worsening. Also, after this dose, my infection made a comeback and antibiotic resistance was to blame. They put me on Bactrim. Before ciprofloxacin, I was a very sane, very healthy woman, and this drug changed me. Ten days later, I still feel off."