Cipro

Generic name: Ciprofloxacin

What is Cipro?

Cipro is used to treat multiple types of bacterial infection, such as urinary tract infections, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate [men]), lower respiratory tract infection, sinus infection, skin infection, bone and joint infection, abdominal infections, infectious diarrhea, and typhoid infections.

What is the most important information I should know about Cipro?

Cipro should not be used during pregnancy or nursing.

Serious and fatal reactions have occurred when Cipro and theophylline have been taken concomitantly.

Cipro should be discontinued if there are symptoms of pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hands, fingers, and feet.

Cipro has been associated with an increased rate of adverse events involving joints and tendons in patients less than 18 years of age. Tendons in the shoulder, hands, or the Achilles tendon (back of the ankle) may rupture, resulting in surgery and disability. Rest and avoid exercise until further instruction from your doctor if you experience pain or swelling of a tendon.

Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to Cipro. It may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worsened by alcohol or certain other medicines.

Be sure to take Cipro for the full course of therapy. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other antibiotics in the future.

Cipro may affect your blood sugar so check your blood sugar regularly if you have diabetes. You may also be more sensitive to the sun while taking Cipro. If you get sunburned, talk to your doctor immediately.

Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea, although rare, may occur. Contact your doctor right away if you experience stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools. Do not treat the diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.

Who should not take Cipro?

Do not take Cipro if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or to any other quinolone antibiotic like Cipro. Also, you should not take this medication if you are already taking tizanidine.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Cipro?

Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Cipro. Also, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have liver or kidney problems, a history of irregular heart beat, Alzheimer's disease, brain or nervous system disorders, diarrhea, a stomach infection, seizures, inflammation of your tendons, joints problems, or skin sensitivity to the sun.

What is the usual dosage?

The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

The usual dosage of Cipro is determined by the kind of infection, how severe it is, what kind of organism is infectious, your immune system, and your kidney and liver function. The usual duration of therapy is 7-14 days; however, severe and complicated infections may require longer treatment.

Acute Sinusitis

Adults: Mild/Moderate: 500 mg every 12 hours for 10 days.

Bone and Joint Infection

Adults: Mild/Moderate: 500 mg every 12 hours for 4 to 6 weeks. Severe/Complicated: 750 mg every 12 hours for 4 to 6 weeks.

Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis Infection

Adults: Mild/Moderate: 500 mg every 12 hours for 28 days.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Adults: Mild/Moderate: 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Severe/Complicated: 750 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.

Infectious Diarrhea

Adults: Mild/Moderate/Severe: 500 mg every 12 hours for 5 to 7 days.

Inhalational anthrax (post-exposure)

Adults: 500 mg every 12 hours for 60 days. Children: (I.V.) 10 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight (maximum 400 mg per dose) every 12 hours for 60 days

(Oral) 15 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight (maximum 500 mg per dose) every 12 hours for 60 days.

Intra-Abdominal Infection used with metronidazole

Adults: Complicated: 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.

Skin and Skin Structure

Adults: Mild/Moderate: 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Severe/Complicated: 750 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.

Typhoid Fever

Adults: Mild/Moderate: 500 mg every 12 hours for 10 days.

Urethral and Cervical Gonococcal Infections

Adults: Uncomplicated: 250 mg single dose.

Urinary Tract Infection or Pyelonephritis

Adults: Acute Uncomplicated: 250 mg every 12 hours for 3 days. Mild/Moderate: 250 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Severe/Complicated: 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.

Children 1 to 17 years old: (I.V.) 6 to 10 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight (maximum 400 mg per dose; not to be exceeded even in patients weighing more than 112 pounds) every 8 hours for 10 to 21 days. (Oral) 10 to 20 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight (maximum 750 mg per dose; not to be exceeded even in patients weighing more than 112 pounds) every 12 hours for 10 to 21 days.

How should I take Cipro?

Cipro can be given orally (tablets or oral suspension), or administered intravenously (I.V.) in a hospital setting. Take with or without food.

Cipro should be administered at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after magnesium/aluminum antacids, or sucralfate, Videx (didanosine) chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder for oral solution, other highly buffered drugs, or other products containing calcium, iron or zinc.

Take Cipro with a full glass of water at the same time each day. Drink several glasses of water a day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Cipro?

Avoid taking Cipro with dairy products (like milk and yogurt) and calcium-fortified juices, since they may affect the absorption of Cipro. Avoid large amounts of food or drink that have caffeine.

Also, avoid excess sunlight and artificial ultraviolet light (UV), such as tanning beds; wear sunscreen or protective clothing if outside in the sun.

Avoid driving or performing possibly unsafe tasks until you know how your react to Cipro. Avoid taking alcohol which may worsen the effects of drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Cipro?

If Cipro is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Cipro with the following: antacids; caffeinated food or drinks; calcium-fortified juices; cyclosporine; dairy products; didanosine; food or drink high in iron, magnesium, or zinc; glyburide; methadone; methotrexate; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen; phenytoin; tizanidine; and warfarin.

What are the possible side effects of Cipro?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Side effects may include: anxiousness or nervousness, bloody stools, changes in liver function tests, diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting, pain or discomfort in the abdomen, vaginal yeast infection

Can I receive Cipro if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Cipro should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Cipro?

Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Cipro, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

How should I store Cipro?

Store the tablets and oral suspension at or below room temperature in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture and light and out of the reach of children.