Cipro

Information on Cipro

Tablets
Chemical Name: CIPROFLOXACIN (sip-roe-FLOX-a-sin)

Common uses
This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

Before using
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 also taking tizanidine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking warfarin, cisapride, antifungals (such as fluconazole), macrolide and ketolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin or telithromycin), hydantoins (such as phenytoin), haloperidol, dofetilide, droperidol, methotrexate, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), phenothiazines (such as thioridazine), pimozide, probenecid, ropinirole, dolasetron, sevelamer, sucralfate, glyburide, theophylline, live vaccines, clozapine, or ziprasidone. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including seizures, brain or nervous system disorders, kidney disease, tendon problems, liver disease, blood vessel problems, allergies (especially drug allergies), pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN OR ADOLESCENTS under age 18 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child.

Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. DRINK A FULL GLASS OF WATER with each dose. Drink several additional glasses of water daily, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. DO NOT TAKE any products containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium within 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine. Some examples include quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals, and antacids. Sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc are also included. These products bind with ciprofloxacin preventing its full absorption. Avoid taking this medicine with milk or milk products (such as yogurt or calcium-enriched juice) by themselves. However, taking this medicine as part of a full meal that contains milk or milk products is permitted. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to properly take this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C), in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this medicine at the same time each day. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you begin to feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. 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.

Cautions
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine or another fluoroquinolone antibiotic (such as levofloxacin, ofloxacin). A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a fluoroquinolone, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF THIS MEDICINE CAUSES A SKIN RASH, HIVES, OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING, check with your doctor before taking additional doses. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. Taking this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. AVOID LARGE AMOUNTS OF CAFFEINE-CONTAINING foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks, and chocolate, while taking this medicine as the effects of the caffeine may be increased. THIS MEDICINE MAY RARELY CAUSE PAIN, INFLAMMATION, OR RUPTURE OF A TENDON. If you experience any of these problems contact your doctor immediately. Rest and avoid exercise until you receive further instruction from you doctor. IF SEVERE DIARRHEA OR STOMACH PAIN OR CRAMPING DEVELOP during treatment or within several months after treatment with this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist right away. Do not treat it with non-prescription (over-the-counter) medicines. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED when using this medicine in children. Contact your doctor for more information. CAUTION IS ADVISED when using this medicine in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the medicine (e.g., tendon problems), especially if they are also taking corticosteroid medicines such as prednisone. They may also be more sensitive to other effects (such as irregular heartbeat). FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include stomach upset, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, headache, vision changes or dizziness during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medicine. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience sunburn-like skin reaction (sun sensitivity), tendon pain, joint pain or swelling, or severe or continuing diarrhea. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or watery stools, stomach pain or cramps, mucus in your stool, seizures, mental or mood changes, easy bruising or bleeding, swelling of throat or tongue, persistent sore throat or fever, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, unusual change in the amount of urine, or unusual fatigue. USE OF THIS MEDICINE FOR PROLONGED OR REPEATED PERIODS may result in oral thrush or a vaginal yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions
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 you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Additional information
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.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2008. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.