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What is ciprofloxacin?

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Ciprofloxacin is used to treat different types of bacterial infections.

Ciprofloxacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Instructions

Side-effects

Interactions

Precautions

Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
• joint problems;
• kidney disease; or
• epilepsy or seizures.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ciprofloxacin or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use ciprofloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Certain medicines should be taken at least 2 hours after or 6 hours before you take ciprofloxacin. This includes didanosine (Videx) chewable/buffered tablets or powder; sucralfate (Carafate); antacids that contain calcium, magnesium or aluminum (such as Tums or Rolaids); or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron, or zinc.

Avoid caffeine while you are taking ciprofloxacin, because the medication can make the effects of caffeine stronger.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Ciprofloxacin make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen if you must be out in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Ciprofloxacin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include seizures, urination problems, weakness, or blue lips with pale skin.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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Side-effects

Stop using ciprofloxacin and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using ciprofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• seizure (black-out or convulsions);
• confusion, hallucinations, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others;
• sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• urinating more or less than usual;
• numbness, tingling, or unusual pain anywhere in your body; or
• chest pain, pounding or fast heartbeats.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting;
• dizziness or drowsiness;
• blurred vision;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• joint stiffness or muscle pain; or
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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Interactions

Do not use ciprofloxacin if you are also taking tizanidine (Zanaflex).

Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• didanosine (Videx, ddI);
• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);
• warfarin (Coumadin);
• probenecid (Benemid);
• insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others;
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others;
• phenytoin (Dilantin); or
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ciprofloxacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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