What is ciprofloxacin (oral)?
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones
(flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). 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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ciprofloxacin (oral)?
You should not use ciprofloxacin if you are also taking tizanidine (Zanaflex), or if you are
allergic to ciprofloxacin or similar medications such as levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin
(Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and others.
Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if
you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute),
disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone
(Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:
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a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
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joint problems;
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myasthenia gravis;
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
epilepsy or seizures;
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diabetes;
-
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
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a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ciprofloxacin is
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.
Ciprofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to
muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to
occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or
lung transplant. Stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling,
tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions.
Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the
same symptoms you have.
How should I take ciprofloxacin (oral)?
Take ciprofloxacin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for
longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take ciprofloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid
each day while you are taking ciprofloxacin.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) for at least 15 seconds just before you measure a dose.
To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine
cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
for one.
When taking the oral liquid, swallow it without chewing the medicine beads you may notice in
the liquid.
Do not crush, chew or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is
specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the
drug to be released at one time.
Ciprofloxacin may be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.
Do not take ciprofloxacin with dairy products such as milk or yogurt, or with
calcium-fortified juice. You may eat or drink these products as part of a regular meal, but do not use
them alone when taking ciprofloxacin. They could make the medication less effective.
Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin
to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ciprofloxacin
will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Store ciprofloxacin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the
liquid medicine to freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose of ciprofloxacin (oral)?
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.
Where can I get more information about ciprofloxacin (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about ciprofloxacin (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ciprofloxacin (oral)?
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:
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dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
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sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your
arm or ankle);
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
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confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or
behavior;
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seizure (convulsions);
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pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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easy bruising or bleeding;
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numbness, tingling, or unusual pain anywhere in your body;
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fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
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the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting;
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dizziness or drowsiness;
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blurred vision;
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feeling nervous, anxious, or agitated;
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sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares); or
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increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ciprofloxacin (oral)?
You should not use this medication if you are taking tizanidine (Zanaflex), or if you are
allergic to ciprofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox),
ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Do not take ciprofloxacin with dairy products such as milk or yogurt, or with
calcium-fortified juice. You may eat or drink dairy products or calcium-fortified juice with a regular
meal, but do not use them alone when taking ciprofloxacin. They could make the medication less
effective.
Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, myasthenia
gravis, joint problems, diabetes, a history of seizures, low levels of potassium in your blood
(hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine
(Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 6 hours before or 2 hours after you take ciprofloxacin.
These other medicines can make ciprofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.
Ciprofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to
muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to
occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or
lung transplant. Stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling,
tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions.
What should I avoid while taking ciprofloxacin (oral)?
You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as
ciprofloxacin. Avoid taking the following medicines within 6 hours before or 2 hours after you take
ciprofloxacin. These other medicines can make ciprofloxacin much less effective when taken at the
same time:
-
antacids that contain calcium, magnesium or aluminum (such as
Tums, Mylanta, or Rolaids);
-
the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
-
didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; 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 exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Ciprofloxacin can make your skin
more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen
(SPF-15 or higher) 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.
What other drugs will affect ciprofloxacin (oral)?
Do not take ciprofloxacin together with tizanidine (Zanaflex).
Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
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insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, such as
glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase);
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methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
-
metoclopramide (Reglan);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
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probenecid (Benemid);
-
ropinirole (Requip);
-
tacrine (Cognex);
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theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid,
Elixophyllin);
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin
(Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and others; or
-
an oral steroid medication such as prednisone and others.
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.
What happens if I have an overdose of ciprofloxacin (oral)?
