Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: CIPROFLOXACIN (SIP-roe-FLOX-a-sin)
This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for treating bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.
WARNING: This medicine is associated with an increased risk of tendon problems. These include pain, swelling, inflammation, and possible breakage of tendons. The risk of tendon problems is greater in patients who are over 60 years old, patients who take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), and in those who have received kidney, heart, or lung transplants. The Achilles tendon in the back of the foot/ankle is most often affected. However, problems may also occur in other tendons (eg, in the shoulder, arm, hand). Problems may occur while you take this medicine or up to several months after you stop taking it. SIGNS OF TENDON PROBLEMS may include pain, soreness, redness, or swelling of a tendon or joint; bruising right after an injury in a tendon area; hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a joint or tendon area; or inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms while you take this medicine or within several months after you stop taking it. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking tizanadine or have recently received a live oral typhoid vaccination. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine, amiodarone), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), metoclopramide, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), probenecid, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), antipsychotics (eg, clozapine), cyclosporine, methotrexate, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine), sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), xanthines (eg, caffeine), or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a stomach infection, liver problems, brain or nervous system problems, increased pressure in the brain, Alzheimer disease, brain blood vessel problems, muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of severe or persistent diarrhea; skin sensitivity to the sun; low blood potassium levels; heart problems; irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation); joint or tendon problems; rheumatoid arthritis; kidney problems or decreased kidney function; heart, kidney, or lung transplant; or seizures. Tell your doctor if you have a family member with a history of irregular heartbeat. Tell your doctor if you participate in strenuous physical work or exercise. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET may be available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. Take this medicine by mouth with or without food. The preferred dosing time is 2 hours after a meal. Take this medicine with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. IF YOU ALSO TAKE ANY PRODUCTS CONTAINING magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, or zinc (eg, antacids, quinapril, vitamins/minerals); didanosine; sucralfate; or bismuth subsalicylate, do not take them within 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine. IF YOU ALSO TAKE SEVELAMER, do not take it within 4 hours before or after taking this medicine. Check with your doctor if you have questions. AVOID TAKING THIS MEDICINE with milk or milk products (eg, calcium-enriched juice, yogurt) by themselves. However, taking this medicine as part of a full meal that contains milk or milk products is permitted. STORE THIS MEDICINE 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. This medicine works best if it is taken at the same time each day. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, take this medicine for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to any other fluoroquinolone (eg, levofloxacin). THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, BLURRED VISION, OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. THIS MEDICINE 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). TELL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY IF YOU EXPERIENCE PAIN OR SWELLING OF A TENDON or weakness or loss of use of a joint area. Rest the area and avoid exercise until further instruction from your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE YOU TO BECOME SUNBURNED more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. 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. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. 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). This medicine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially joint and tendon problems. FOR WOMEN: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. This medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. DIABETES PATIENTS - This medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or tarry stools; burning, numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness of the arms, hands, legs, or feet; chest pain; dark urine or unusual change in amount of urine; fainting; fever, chills, or unusual cough; hallucinations; inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; moderate to severe sunburn; mood or mental changes (eg, new or worsening anxiety, agitation, confusion, depression, restlessness, sleeplessness); muscle pain or weakness; pain, soreness, redness, swelling, weakness, or bruising of a tendon or joint area; pale stools; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent dizziness; stomach cramps/pain; suicidal thoughts or actions; tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual fatigue; vaginal yeast infection; vision changes; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions, or later for other infections. A different medicine may be needed in those cases. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.
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