Ciprofloxacin (Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride)


DNX0005.HTM

Ciprofloxacin (By mouth)
Ciprofloxacin (sip-roe-FLOX-a-sin)

Treats infections that are caused by bacteria. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):Cipro, Ciprofloxacin
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin or to another fluoroquinolone. Examples of other fluoroquinolones include levofloxacin (Levaquin®), moxifloxacin (Avelox®), norfloxacin (Noroxin®), and ofloxacin (Floxin®). Do not use this medicine together with tizanidine (Zanaflex®).

How to Use This Medicine:
Liquid, Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • The extended-release tablet (Cipro® XR) is NOT the same as the regular-release tablet (Cipro®) or liquid (Cipro®). Use the exact medicine that your doctor prescribed. Do not use a different medicine, even if the names look alike.
  • You may take this medicine with or without food. Do not take this medicine with milk, yogurt, or other dairy products. Do not drink any juice with calcium added when you take this medicine. It is okay to have dairy products or juice as part of a larger meal and then take this medicine with that meal.
  • Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
  • Shake the oral liquid for at least 15 seconds just before each use. The oral liquid has small microcapsules floating in it. These microcapsules may look like bubbles or small beads. Do not chew the microcapsules when you drink the oral liquid. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
  • Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.
  • Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Do not take more than one extended-release tablet (Cipro® XR) per day.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. You may store the oral liquid at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Do not keep the oral liquid for more than 14 days.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Sandimmune®, Neoral®), metoclopramide (Reglan®), methotrexate (Folex®, Rheumatrex®), omeprazole (Prilosec®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), probenecid (Benemid®), or theophylline. Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or diabetes medicine such as glyburide, Diabeta®, Glynase®, or Micronase®. Your doctor needs to know if you are using pain or arthritis medicine such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, or Celebrex®.
  • Some medicines, antacids, and mineral supplements can change the way ciprofloxacin works in your body. These medicines include Maalox® or Mylanta®, sucralfate (Carafate®), and multivitamins with calcium, iron, or zinc. Didanosine (Videx®) powder or chewable buffered tablets may also affect how ciprofloxacin works. If you use any of these medicines, take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after these medicines.
  • Avoid caffeine (coffee, soda, chocolate) while you are using this medicine. Ciprofloxacin may cause caffeine to stay in your body longer than usual.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, a history of seizures, epilepsy, head injury, or stroke.
  • This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
  • Your tendons may be more easily injured while you are using this medicine. This risk of tendon injury may be greater in children. Call your doctor if you have pain or swelling in your knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist. You may need to stop using this medicine.
  • If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
  • Use this medicine only to treat the infection your doctor has prescribed it for. Do not use this medicine for any infection that has not been checked by a doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
  • Confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior.
  • Fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
  • Numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
  • Red or dark brown urine or stool.
  • Seizures or tremors.
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Blurred vision, feeling more sensitive to light or colors.
  • Feeling nervous, restless, anxious, or agitated.
  • Headache, migraine, bad dreams, or trouble sleeping.
  • Mild muscle or joint pain, decreased joint movement.
  • Mild skin rash or itching.
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
  • Sores or white patches in your mouth or throat.
  • Vaginitis.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.