Ciprofloxacin Patient Tips

How it works

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat a wide range of infections. It belongs to a group of medicines known as fluoroquinolones (also called quinolones).

Upsides

Treats a wide range of infections such as those occurring in the urinary tract, prostate, respiratory tract, sinuses, bones and joints, abdomen, and genital area.

Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

• Like other quinolones, ciprofloxacin is associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture at all ages. Seniors over 60, people taking corticosteroids or with a history of organ transplants are at increased risk.
• Not usually a drug of first choice for children as children are more susceptible to the adverse effects of ciprofloxacin.
• May exacerbate muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis.
• Serious, sometimes life-threatening, adverse reactions such as liver damage and allergic reactions have been occasionally reported.
• May trigger seizures or increase the risk of having a seizure.
• May also cause anxiety, insomnia, psychotic reactions, nausea, nerve pain or loss of feeling, ECG abnormalities, increase sensitivity to light and other effects.

Notes: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. For a complete list of all side effects, click here.

Bottom Line

Ciprofloxacin is an effective antibiotic that treats a wide variety of infections; however, use is restricted in children and it carries a risk of tendinitis or tendon rupture.

Tips

• Take exactly as directed and for the duration intended.
• Only use when prescribed by a doctor to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria as improper use increases the chance of resistant bacteria developing.
• Do not take ciprofloxacin within two hours of magnesium/aluminum-containing antacids or other products containing calcium, iron or zinc. Other products may also affect absorption (check product information).
• Avoid administration of ciprofloxacin with dairy products (eg, milk or yogurt) or calcium-fortified juices alone; however, ciprofloxacin may be taken with meals that contain calcium.
• Protect yourself from sunlight and avoid excessive exposure to the sun when taking ciprofloxacin.
• Keep well hydrated when taking ciprofloxacin to avoid the formation of highly concentrated urine.
• Discontinue if pain, swelling, inflammation or tendon rupture occurs and seek immediate medical advice.
• Discontinue immediately if a skin rash, yellowing of the skin, dark urine, itchiness, or allergy symptoms develop.
• Seek medical advice if chronic diarrhea develops during or following ciprofloxacin.

Response and Effectiveness

Peak concentrations are reached one to two hours after dosing; however it may take up to 48 hours before infection-related symptoms start to abate.