What is the most important information I should know about Cipro?

Do not take Cipro with dairy products such as milk or yogurt, or with calcium-fortified juice. You may eat or drink dairy products or calcium-fortified juice with a regular meal, but do not use them alone when taking Cipro. They could make the medication less effective.

Take all of the Cipro that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Drink several extra glasses of fluid every day while taking Cipro. If you drink dairy products (milk, yogurt) or calcium-fortified juice, drink them with a meal and not when you are taking your Cipro dose.

Certain medicines should be taken at least 2 hours after or 6 hours before you take Cipro. This includes didanosine (Videx) chewable/ buffered tablets or powder; sucralfate (Carafate); antacids that contain calcium, magnesium or aluminum (such as Tums or Rolaids); or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron, or zinc.

Taking Cipro can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, or tanning beds.



What is Cipro?

Cipro is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Cipro fights bacteria in the body.

Cipro is used to treat different types of bacterial infections.

Cipro may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.



What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Cipro?

Before taking Cipro, tell your doctor if you have:

a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;

joint problems;

kidney disease; or

epilepsy or seizures.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Cipro or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Cipro without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Cipro passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. If you are breast-feeding a baby, do not use this medication without telling your doctor first.

How should I take Cipro?

Take Cipro exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day while you are taking Cipro.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) for at least 15 seconds just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

When taking the oral liquid, swallow it without chewing the medicine beads you may notice in the liquid.

Do not crush, chew or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Cipro may be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.

Do not take Cipro with dairy products such as milk or yogurt, or with calcium-fortified juice. You may eat or drink these products as part of a regular meal, but do not use them alone when taking Cipro. They could make the medication less effective.

Take this medication for as many days as it has beenprescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cipro will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store Cipro at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a Cipro overdose may include seizures, urination problems, weakness, or blue lips with pale skin.

What should I avoid while taking Cipro?

Avoid caffeine while you are taking Cipro, because the medication can make the effects of caffeine stronger.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Cipro make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen if you must be out in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Cipro can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What are the possible side effects of Cipro?

Stop using Cipro and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Cipro and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

seizure (black-out or convulsions);

confusion, hallucinations, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others;

sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);

nausea, stomach pain, low fever, lost appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

urinating more or less than usual;

numbness, tingling, or unusual pain anywhere in your body; or

chest pain, pounding or fast heartbeats.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

nausea, vomiting;

dizziness or drowsiness;

blurred vision;

sleep problems (insomnia);

joint stiffness or muscle pain; or

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Cipro?

Do not use Cipro if you are also taking tizanidine (Zanaflex).

Certain medicines should be taken at least 2 hours after or 6 hours before you take Cipro. This includes didanosine (Videx) chewable/ buffered tablets or powder; sucralfate (Carafate); antacids that contain calcium, magnesium or aluminum (such as Tums or Rolaids); or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron, or zinc.

Before taking Cipro, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

didanosine (Videx, ddI);

theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);

warfarin (Coumadin);

probenecid (Benemid);

insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others;

a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others;

phenytoin (Dilantin); or

cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune).

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Cipro. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.