Ciprofloxacin

Uses of  Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, it is used to treat different types of bacterial infections. It is also used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax or certain types of plague. Ciprofloxacin extended-release is only approved for use in adults.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side effects that may not be reversible.

Ciprofloxacin should be used only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.

Precautions and Warnings

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if ciprofloxacin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following before using ciprofloxacin.

Heart Problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your family has a history of heart attack or an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), especially a condition called “QT prolongation” or “long QT syndrome.”

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

• Kidney, heart, or lung transplant
• Kidney or liver problems
• Past tendon or joint problems
• History of seizures or epilepsy
• History of myasthenia gravis
• Low blood potassium (hypokalemia) or magnesium (hypomagnesemia)
• Diabetes

Other Medicines and Supplements. Ciprofloxacin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using ciprofloxacin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.  See the Interactions section below for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how ciprofloxacin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while using ciprofloxacin or for two days after you finish using it. You may pump and throw away your breast milk during this time. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Dosage

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Side Effects:

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Changes in liver function tests
• Skin rash
• Yeast infection
• Swollen nose and throat
• Headache (extended-release tablets)
• Feeling an urgent need to urinate

Serious Side Effects:

• low blood sugar – headache, hunger, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, or feeling shaky;
• nerve damage symptoms – numbness, tingling, burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet:
• serious mood or behavior changes – nervousness, confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide; or
• signs of tendon rupture – sudden pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, stiffness, movement problems, or a snapping or popping sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions).