Cipro MedFacts

Cipro

Cipro is used for:

Treating bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.

Cipro is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to kill sensitive bacteria. It works by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Do NOT use Cipro if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Cipro or to any other fluoroquinolone (eg, levofloxacin)
• you have recently received a live, oral typhoid vaccination or you are taking cisapride or tizanidine

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Cipro

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions may interact with Cipro . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medical conditions below applies to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart problems or a history of irregular heartbeat, low blood potassium levels, Alzheimer disease, a brain or nervous system disorder, a problem with the blood vessels in your brain, diarrhea, a stomach infection, liver problems, kidney problems, increased pressure in your brain, seizures, inflammation of your tendons, joint problems, or skin sensitivity to the sun

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Cipro . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cisapride or class 1A or class III antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol) because the risk of serious side effects, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because they may increase the risk of tendon problems
• Arsenic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or probenecid because side effects, such as seizures, may occur
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), arsenic, cyclosporine, methadone, methotrexate, sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), theophyllines, tizanidine, or xanthines (eg, theophylline) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) or live, oral typhoid vaccine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Cipro

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Cipro may interact with other medicines you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Cipro Usage Guidelines

You should use Cipro as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Cipro by mouth with or without food. The preferred dosing time is 2 hours after a meal.
• Take Cipro with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Drink several extra glasses of water a day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• If you also take any products containing magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, or zinc (eg, vitamins/minerals, antacids, quinapril); didanosine; sucralfate; or bismuth subsalicylate, do not take them within 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking Cipro . Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• If you also take sevelamer, do not take it within 4 hours before or after taking Cipro . Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• Cipro is the most effective when taken at the same time every day.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Cipro for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• Avoid taking Cipro with milk or milk products (such as yogurt or calcium-enriched juice) by themselves. However, taking Cipro as part of a full meal that contains milk or milk products is permitted.
• Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Cipro , take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Cipro .

Important safety information on cipro

• Cipro may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Cipro with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Be sure to use Cipro for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Cipro may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Cipro only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Avoid large amounts of food or drink that have caffeine (eg, coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, chocolate).
• Rest and avoid exercise until further instruction from your doctor if you experience pain or swelling of a tendon.
• Diabetes patients - Cipro may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Cipro may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Cipro . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Use this medicine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects (eg, tendon problems), especially if they take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone). They may also be more sensitive to other effects (eg, irregular heartbeat).
• Caution is advised when using Cipro in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially joint and tendon problems.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cipro while you are pregnant. Cipro is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cipro .

Side effects may be caused by Cipro

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Anxiety; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nightmares; restlessness; stomach upset; vision changes; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; bizarre behavior; bloody stools; chest pain; convulsions; dark urine (or unusual change in amount of urine); depression; dizziness; easy bruising or bleeding; fever, chills, or unusual cough; hallucinations; increased pressure within the head; inflammation, pain, or rupture of a tendon; irregular heartbeat; joint pain or swelling; loss of appetite; loss of consciousness; mental changes; muscle pain; nervousness; oral thrush; pain; pale stools; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or continuing diarrhea; sleeplessness; stomach cramps/pain; suicidal thoughts; sun sensitivity (sunburn easily); tingling or weakness of arms and legs; tremors; unusual fatigue; vaginal yeast infection; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Cipro storage instructions:

Store Cipro at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Cipro out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Cipro , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Cipro is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Cipro . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.