Brand Name

Cipro {Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.}

Generic Name

ciprofloxacin, pronounced SIP roe FLOX a sin

What is Cipro?

Cipro is an antibiotic prescribed to treat bacterial infections and is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. You may also be prescribed Cipro to prevent or slow Anthrax after exposure to it.

Cipro may also be used for conditions that are not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Cipro

Cipro can cause swelling or tearing of tendons, which are the fibers that connect your bones to your muscles. Your Achilles’ tendon of your heel is especially at risk. You are more likely to experience this effect if you are over age 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. If you experience sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints stop taking Cipro and call your doctor.

Cipro is in FDA pregnancy category C. Cipro is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant before starting treatment with Cipro. You should not use Cipro without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby, as Cipro passes into breast milk.

You should avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds while taking Cipro, as it can make you sunburn more easily. Be sure to wear protective clothing and use sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher when you are outdoors. If you have burning, redness, itching, a rash, or swelling after being in the sun call your doctor immediately.

Cipro may cause diarrhea during treatment. This may be a side effect or the sign of a possible new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, you should stop taking Cipro right away and call your doctor. Do not use any anti-diarrhea medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Before You Take Cipro

You should not use Cipro if you are allergic to levofloxacin, gemifloxacin (Factive), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin) or norfloxacin (Noroxin).

Tell your doctor if you have a condition called pseudotumor cerebri, which is high pressure inside your skull that can cause headaches and vision loss.

Let your doctor know if you have a heart rhythm disorder and if you take amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace).

If you have diabetes, myasthenia gravis, joint problems, kidney or liver disease, epilepsy or seizures you should tell your doctor before taking Cipro.

If you have low levels of potassium in your blood or a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome you should inform your doctor before starting treatment with Cipro.

Take care to avoid using products containing caffeine, as Cipro can make the effects of caffeine stronger.

Refrain from taking antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids, the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc within 6 hours before or 2 after taking Cipro. These medications have the potential to weaken Cipro and make it less effective.

You should not take Cipro with dairy products like milk or yogurt. Do not take Cipro with calcium supplements or calcium fortified juice. If you consume dairy products or products with calcium supplements take these either at least 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking Cipro.

You should not take Cipro together with tizanidine (Zanaflex).

Cipro Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril)
• glyburide (Micronase,Diabeta)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex,Trexall)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin) and meloxicam (Mobic)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• ropinirole (Requip)
• steroid medications, like prednisone
• theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl)
• tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Cipro. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Cipro

You should take Cipro exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use Cipro in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label exactly.

You can take Cipro with or without food.

Take Cipro with a full glass of water, at least 8 ounces.

You should drink several extra glasses of fluid daily while you are taking Cipro.

You should take Cipro at the same time every day.

If you are taking the oral solution of Cipro you should swallow it without chewing the medicine beads that you may notice in the liquid. Take care to shake the suspension well before using it.

Be sure to use a special dose measuring device if you are dosed with the Cipro liquid. Do not use a regular table spoon to take Cipro. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you a special dose measuring cup or spoon if you do not have one.

You must take Cipro for the full amount of time your doctor has prescribed for you to take it. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared, but you still need to complete your course of antibiotic treatment. Failure to do so may result in an increased risk of further infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

Take care to avoid using products containing caffeine, as Cipro can make the effects of caffeine stronger.

Refrain from taking antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids, the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc within 6 hours before or 2 after taking Cipro. These medications have the potential to weaken Cipro and make it less effective.

You should not take Cipro with dairy products like milk or yogurt. Do not take Cipro with calcium supplements or calcium fortified juice. If you consume dairy products or products with calcium supplements take these either at least 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking Cipro.

You should not take Cipro together with tizanidine (Zanaflex).

You should store Cipro at room temperature, and away from heat and moisture. Do not freeze Cipro liquid.

If your symptoms get worse while taking Cipro and you have a fever contact your doctor right away.

If you miss a dose of Cipro you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

.

Cipro Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Cipro and seek medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction that includes breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• bleeding or bruising easily
• clay colored stools
• confusion
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• dizziness that is severe
• depression
• ear ringing
• eye pain
• feeling faint
• fast or pounding heartbeats
• fever
• hallucinations
• severe headache
• jaundice
• joint pain that is sudden, snapping or popping, bruising easily, swollen, tender, stiff or restricted in movement and range
• severe nausea
• numbness with burning pain or tingly feeling in your hands or feet
• paleness or yellowed skin
• seizures
• severe skin reaction and fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) that causes blistering and peeling
• skin rash of any kind
• unusual thoughts or behavior
• darkened urine
• urinating less than normal or not at all
• vision problems

Less serious Cipro side effects may include:

• blurred vision
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• insomnia
• mild nausea and vomiting
• nervousness or agitation
• nightmares

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Cipro. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Cipro Description and Dosing

Cipro is available as 250 mg and 500 mg tablets. The 250 mg tablets are slightly yellowed, round, and coded with the word “BAYER” on one side and “CIP 250” on the other side. The 500 mg tablet of Cipro is Cipro is capsule shaped, slightly yellowed, film-coated and coded with the word “BAYER” on one side and “CIP 500” on the other side. Cipro Oral Suspension is supplied in 5%
and 10% strengths. The oral suspension of Cipro must be mixed by your pharmacist.

Cipro dosages vary for each individual based on their age, condition and situation. Your doctor will tell you the right dose of Cipro for you to take. Do not change or alter your Cipro dose without talking to your doctor first.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with the Cipro you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Cipro:

The main ingredient in Cipro is Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. The inactive ingredients in Cipro tablets {250 mg and 500 mg} are cornstarch, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and polyethylene glycol. Cipro Oral Suspension is comprised of the main ingredient Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and also contains: microcapsules with povidone, methacrylic acid copolymer, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, and Polysorbate 20; diluent with medium-chain triglycerides, sucrose, lecithin, water, strawberry flavor and sucrose.

Back to Top

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.