Basic Information: Common uses

This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat kidney or bladder (urinary tract) 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. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other antibiotics, sucralfate, theophylline products, warfarin, cyclosporine, glyburide, phenytoin, clozapine, live vaccines, probenecid, ropinirole, or quinapril. Also, report the use of medicines, which might increase the risk of seizures when combined with ciprofloxacin such as phenothiazines including thioridazine, tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, isoniazid (INH), and theophylline, among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. 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.

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. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. 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. TAKE THIS MEDICINE 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking any products containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium. Some examples include quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals, and antacids. Dairy products (e.g., milk, yogurt), calcium-enriched juice, sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc are also included. These products bind with ciprofloxacin preventing its full absorption. Note: This medicine may be taken with a glass of milk or calcium-enriched juice along with a meal; taking it with only a glass of milk or calcium-enriched juice (separate from a meal) will prevent the medicine from being fully absorbed. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted. 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. 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). 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 tendon pain, joint pain or swelling, sunburn-like skin reaction (sun sensitivity), or severe or continuing diarrhea. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience seizures, mental or mood changes, easy bruising or bleeding, swelling of throat or tongue, persistent sore throat or fever, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, stomach pain, yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, unusual change in the amount of urine, or unusual fatigue. This medicine may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (pseudomembranous colitis) due to a resistant bacteria. This condition may occur weeks after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medicines if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you develop persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain or cramping, or blood or mucus in your stool. 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. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

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 overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.