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Generic Name: Ciprofloxacin
Brand Name(s):
Information updated: April 1, 2000
Overview
Cipro belongs to a class of potent antibiotics called quinolones. These
drugs have become quite popular in recent years because they can help cure a
wide variety of infections.
Side effects are uncommon and bacteria
appear slower to develop resistance to such medications.
Cipro is
especially useful against hard-to-treat infections that affect the lungs,
urinary tract, skin, bones and joints.
This antibiotic also works
against traveler's diarrhea and other bugs that invade the digestive tract.
Side Effects and Interactions
Cipro may cause lightheadedness. Do not drive
or attempt any activity that requires coordination and judgment if you become
impaired.
Some people report restlessness, insomnia, nightmares,
dizziness, tremor, headache, or irritability while taking this medicine.
Such symptoms can be made worse by coffee or the asthma medicine theophylline.
Cipro affects the liver and may allow caffeine and theophylline to build
up to toxic levels in the body.
Because Cipro may cause digestive tract
upset, nausea, pain or diarrhea, you may be tempted to use an antacid. That
could be a big mistake.
Aluminum or calcium-based products, including
Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums, can dramatically interfere with the
absorption of Cipro. Wait at least two hours after taking Cipro before
swallowing an antacid.
Vitamin and mineral formulas can also cause
problems, so they should not be taken at the same time either.
Other side
effects are rare, but be alert for changes in vision, rash, sores in the mouth,
joint pain or stiffness, chest pain or heart palpitations, urinary changes, or
breathing difficulty. Report any symptoms or suspected side effects to your
physician promptly.
Special Precautions
Pregnant women and children should not take Cipro. Others may be allergic to this medication.
If you experience symptoms such as breathing difficulty, wheezing, sneezing, hives, or itching, obtain emergency medical attention.
Life-threatening anaphylactic shock is rare, but it demands instant treatment.
People with kidney disease should take Cipro only under careful medical supervision, as special dosage modifications may have to be made.
Liver enzyme elevations have also been noted, so periodic blood tests will be necessary if you have to take this medicine for any length of time.
Taking the Medicine
Cipro is absorbed more efficiently when it is taken on an empty stomach. The manufacturer
recommends that it be swallowed two hours after a meal.
If this medicine upsets your
stomach, though, it can be swallowed with food without losing potency.
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio.
© 2000
Reader Comments
This a dangerous medication and only used in emergency. There are lawsuits on it for ruptures of tendons, usually starts in feet and legs but can injure any tendons. It can cause your liver to shut down--take with care. Any side effects should be reported. This medicine made me very sick and some doctors are not informed of this. Take charge of your healthcare.
Posted by: carole | February 1, 2008 8:35 PM
Just before she was released from the hospital, my 90 year old mother was given Cipro when a catheter resulted in a urinary tract infection. Within days she developed a rash which quickly turned into Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Her entire body was "blood red" and she was returned to the hospital and placed in the burn unit. Over the next month her skin flaked and peeled. Her eyes were affected and she could no longer watch TV, read the paper, etc.
She was originally in the hospital for colon cancer.
Posted by: JK | April 10, 2008 9:35 AM
My Dr. gave this to me because I had diarrhea for almost 2 weeks, no idea why. They did a complete blood count, which came back normal. So the Dr. said it must have not been caused by a bacterial infection but viral. When I asked if Cipro treats viral infections they said yes. The diarrhea stopped the next day after taking it, but I also took one immodium tablet, so not sure which stopped it. But now I have to finish an entire round of Cipro anyway and when I looked it up online and it says Cipro only treats bacterial. Now I have to finish this very strong antibiotic for no reason? Anyone out there who can help me on this? It is making me feel ill.
Posted by: MS | May 10, 2008 11:01 AM
A few years ago I went to the doctors for a minor bladder infection. He gave me Cipro.
I was in my 50's and never had a reaction to any meds before. Well let me tell you I turned beet red with welts and a fever for two days until I begged for some cordizone pills which cleared it up within a few hours. Now I watch what they give me. Is Cipro the same as Amoxicillin?
Posted by: LF | May 20, 2008 2:27 PM
A close friend of mine was given Ciprofloxacin and Heracillin (don't know if it's the same name in the US. I live in Sweden).
This was during the summer of 2004.
He also had a lot of other medications.
I noticed that somehting had happend to him. He seemed confused.
That made me turn to the Internet.
I was surprised at the amount of information that was there.
People who had taken antibiotics of this group - and had bad experiences - told their stories. One after the other. They called themselves "floxies" or said that they had been "floxed".
I found the fantastic site - www.fqresearch.org and www.fqvictims.org and also read the equally interesting book "Bitter Pills" by Stephen Fried.
Please don't use this kind of antibiotic ligthly - should be a last resort.
Posted by: Marie | June 13, 2008 5:29 AM
My mom was given Cipro for a Urinary Tract Infection it ended up not being a urinary tract infection but Gallbladder problems while in the hospital she was given more Cipro. Her Gallbladder was removed and she was still taking Cipro. To make the story short she developed C-Difficile a bacteria infection caused by the Cipro killing all her good microorganism and bad.
Posted by: miguelina | July 5, 2008 12:17 PM