Cipro (Ciprofloxacin)

Cipro is used for treating bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.

Use Cipro as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Take Cipro by mouth with or without food. The preferred dosing time is 2 hours after a meal.

Take Cipro with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Drink several extra glasses of water a day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you also take any products containing magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, or zinc (eg, vitamins/minerals, antacids, quinapril); didanosine; sucralfate; or bismuth subsalicylate, do not take them within 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking Cipro . Check with your doctor if you have questions.

If you also take sevelamer, do not take it within 4 hours before or after taking Cipro . Check with your doctor if you have questions. Cipro works best if it is taken at the same time each day.

To clear up your infection completely, take Cipro for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

Avoid taking Cipro with milk or milk products (such as yogurt or calcium-enriched juice) by themselves. However, taking Cipro as part of a full meal that contains milk or milk products is permitted.

Cipro is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to kill sensitive bacteria. It works by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Cipro , 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.

Ciprofloxacin should be stored at below 86 degrees F.

Do NOT use Cipro if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cipro or to any other fluoroquinolone (eg, levofloxacin)
• you have recently received a live, oral typhoid vaccination or you are taking cisapride or tizanidine

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart problems or a history of irregular heartbeat, low blood potassium levels, Alzheimer disease, a brain or nervous system disorder, a problem with the blood vessels in your brain, diarrhea, a stomach infection, liver problems, kidney problems, increased pressure in your brain, seizures, inflammation of your tendons, joint problems, or skin sensitivity to the sun

• Cisapride or class 1A or class III antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol) because the risk of serious side effects, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because they may increase the risk of tendon problems
• Arsenic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or probenecid because side effects, such as seizures, may occur
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), arsenic, cyclosporine, methadone, methotrexate, sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), theophyllines, tizanidine, or xanthines (eg, theophylline) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) or live, oral typhoid vaccine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Cipro

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Anxiety; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nightmares; restlessness; stomach upset; vision changes; vomiting.

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; bizarre behavior; bloody stools; chest pain; convulsions; dark urine (or unusual change in amount of urine); depression; dizziness; easy bruising or bleeding; fever, chills, or unusual cough; hallucinations; increased pressure within the head; inflammation, pain, or rupture of a tendon; irregular heartbeat; joint pain or swelling; loss of appetite; loss of consciousness; mental changes; moderate to severe sunburn; muscle pain; nervousness; oral thrush; pain; pale stools; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or continuing diarrhea; sleeplessness; stomach cramps/pain; suicidal thoughts; tingling or weakness of arms and legs; tremors; unusual fatigue; vaginal yeast infection; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

If you have any questions about Cipro , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Cipro is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.