How should Cipro be used properly?

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) comes as a tablet, a suspension (liquid) and an extended release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth with or without food. The tablet and suspension are usually taken every 12 hours (twice a day). The extended release tablets are usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take ciprofloxacin, take it around the same time(s) every day. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have. Your doctor will tell you how long you need to take ciprofloxacin. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ciprofloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended release tablets whole; do not split, crush, or chew them.

If you are taking the liquid, shake the bottle for 15 seconds before each use to mix the medication evenly. Swallow the correct dose without chewing the granules in the liquid. Do not give the liquid to a patient through a feeding tube.

If you are taking the tablets or extended release tablets, swallow them with a full glass of water. You should begin feeling better during the first few days of treatment with ciprofloxacin. If you do not, call your doctor.

Take ciprofloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking ciprofloxacin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely cured and bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

What are the common uses for Cipro?

Ciprofloxacin is also sometimes used to treat patients with cystic fibrosis who have lung infections. Ciprofloxacin is sometimes used to treat various sexually transmitted diseases and various infections such as Legionnaire disease (a type of lung infection), cat scratch disease (an infection that may develop after a patient is bitten or scratched by a cat), and brucellosis (a type of infection that causes a rising and falling fever and other symptoms). In the event of biological warfare, ciprofloxacin may be used to treat and prevent dangerous illness that are deliberately spread such as plague, tularemia, and anthrax of the skin or mouth. Ciprofloxacin may also be used to reduce the amount of certain types of bacteria in the nose to prevent serious illness. Ciprofloxacin may be used with another medication to treat disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) (a type of lung disease that often affects people with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] ), and tuberculosis (TB) (a type of lung infection). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow when using Cipro?

Before taking ciprofloxacin,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ciprofloxacin; other quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as cinoxacin (Cinobac), enoxacin (Penetrex), gatifloxacin (Tequin), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan); or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetazolamide (Diamox); anticoagulants (’blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin); brinzolamide (Azopt); cancer chemotherapy medications; chloroquine (Aralen); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), dichlorphenamide (Daranide); dorzolamide (Cosopt, Trusopt); glyburide (DiaBeta, Glycron, Glynase, Micronase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for depression , pain, or mental illness; medications for diarrhea, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), diphenoxylate (Lomotil), and loperamide (Imodium); medications that contain caffeine (NoDoz, Vivarin, others); methazolamide (GlaucTabs, Nepatazane); methocarbamol (Robaxin); metoclopramide (Reglan); methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept); neostigmine (Prostigmin); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); other antibiotics; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); physostigmine (Antilirium); potassium citrate and citric acid (Cytra-K, Polycitra-K); probenecid (Benemid); pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol); pyrimethamine (Daraprim); sedatives and sleeping pills; sodium bicarbonate (Soda Mint, baking soda); sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra, Oracit); theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur, Slo-bid, others); or tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
if you are taking antacids (Maalox, Mylanta); didanosine (Videx) chewable tablets or solution (liquid); calcium, iron, zinc or vitamin supplements; or sucralfate (Carafate), take them 6 hours before or 2 hours after ciprofloxacin.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had arthritis; dementia (memory loss and personality changes); depression; mental illness; diarrhea during or after antibiotic therapy; recent head injury; seizures; stroke or mini-stroke; or kidney or liver disease.
you should know that ciprofloxacin and other similar antibiotics have caused serious and occasionally fatal allergic reactions in some patients. If you develop hives; difficulty breathing or swallowing; rapid, irregular or pounding heartbeat; fainting; dizziness; blurred vision, or other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care right away. If you develop a skin rash, stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor. Call your doctor if you experience other signs of an allergic reaction such as itching; tingling; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; fever; hoarseness; joint or muscle pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; extreme tiredness; lack of energy; loss of appetite; pain in the upper right part of the stomach; yellowing of the skin or eyes; flu- like symptoms; or upset stomach.
tell your doctor if you have ever had tendonitis (swelling or tearing of the fiber that connects a bone to a muscle) and if you participate in regular athletic activity. If you experience symptoms of tendonitis, such as pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle, stop taking ciprofloxacin, rest, and call your doctor immediately.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ciprofloxacin, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ciprofloxacin.
you should know that ciprofloxacin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (tanning beds) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Ciprofloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
you should know that ciprofloxacin may cause diarrhea during or after your treatment. You should not treat this diarrhea with over the counter medications. Instead, call your doctor to find out what to do.

Cipro Overdose
The most common manifestation of Cipro overdose is characterized by seizures and if you suspect overdose and experience seizures, immediately seek medical attention.

Cipro Missed Dose
You can take the missed dose of Cipro the moment you remember provided that it is not yet near the time for the next scheduled dose. Never take double doses of Cipro unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of ciprofloxacin?
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.