What is Cipro: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Cipro

• Take this medicine as directed by a healthcare professional.

• Take Cipro for the full duration of treatment even if you feel better after a few days.

• Try to take Cipro doses at the same times every day in the morning and evening.

• Cipro can be taken with or without food.

  • Do not take Cipro with only calcium-containing foods like milk or yogurt. You may have foods or drinks that contain calcium as long as they are part of a larger meal.

• How to take Cipro tablets

  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew it.

  • Store Cipro tablets at room temperature.

• How to administer Cipro oral suspension

  • Shake the bottle vigorously for 15 seconds before measuring a dose.

  • Use the graduated teaspoon that comes with this medicine to measure doses. Wash the teaspoon with water and dish detergent after each use.

  • The liquid will have tiny microcapsules floating in the suspension. Do not chew them.

  • It’s okay to have a drink of water after a dose is administered.

  • Completely close the bottle after each dose.

  • Store Cipro oral suspension at room temperature, protected from hot temperatures (over 77˚). Do not freeze.

  • Throw out any unused medicine when treatment is completed.

• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and avoid crystals forming in the urine.

What to do if you miss a dose of Cipro

• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered if the next dose isn’t due for another six hours or more.

• Skip the missed dose if the next dose is to be taken in less than six hours. Take that next dose at its regular time.

• Never take extra doses of Cipro to compensate for a missed dose.

Cipro contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin or other fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Cipro warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are on ciprofloxacin. 

• The doctor may need to regularly perform check-ups and lab tests to ensure treatment is working and not causing side effects. Keep all appointments.

• Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who are breastfeeding must stop breastfeeding to take Cipro. They can’t start breastfeeding again until at least two days after the last dose is taken.

• Tell the prescriber if you have tendon problems or myasthenia gravis. Doctors avoid giving Cipro to people with these conditions because of the risk of side effects.

• Also tell the prescriber if you have:

  • Kidney problems

  • Liver problems

  • Central nervous system disorders, including a history of seizures

  • Nerve problems such as peripheral nerve damage

  • Joint problems

  • Diabetes

  • Low potassium

  • Low magnesium

  • A heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation

• Cipro must be discontinued for anyone who experiences:

  • Tendinitis or tendon rupture

  • Peripheral nerve damage

  • Central nervous system problems, including seizures, increased cranial pressure, or mental health disorders

• Cipro can cause other serious problems, including:

  • Liver damage

  • Aortic aneurysm

  • Heart rhythm changes

  • Joint problems

  • Low or high blood sugar

  • Severe allergic reactions or drug reactions

• Because of the risk of side effects, Cipro is only supposed to be used as a last resort treatment in people with:

  • Chronic bronchitis

  • Bladder infection

  • Sinus infection

• This medicine can cause diarrhea up to two months after treatment ends. Contact a healthcare professional if you experience severe, continual, watery, or bloody diarrhea. Do not take any antidiarrheal medicine until consulting with a doctor.

• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Call the prescriber if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may interfere with the diagnosis of other diseases or alter the results of important blood tests.

Cipro interactions

• Ciprofloxacin has many drug interactions. The prescribing healthcare provider will need to know about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you are taking.

• Ciprofloxacin is never combined with the muscle relaxant tizanidine.

• Ciprofloxacin can cause significant problems when combined with:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen

  • Corticosteroids such as prednisone

  • Diabetes medications

  • Tricyclic antidepressants

  • Antipsychotic medications

  • Heart rhythm medications

  • Macrolide antibiotics

  • Cyclosporine, duloxetine, lidocaine, methotrexate, pentoxifylline, phenytoin, probenecid, ropinirole, sildenafil, theophylline, zolpidem

• Some drugs reduce the effectiveness of Cipro. To avoid problems, Cipro tablets must be taken at least two hours before or six hours after taking:

  • Antacids or multivitamins that contain aluminum, magnesium, lanthanum, iron, or zinc

  • The stomach protectant sucralfate

  • The HIV/AIDS drug didanosine

  • Phosphate binders

• Ciprofloxacin may increase the effects of caffeine, such as restlessness, nervousness, and trouble sleeping. People on ciprofloxacin may need to reduce their intake of caffeine.

• Tell any other healthcare professional who treats you that you are taking Cipro before they prescribe any new medication. 

Find more detailed information about ciprofloxacin interactions to avoid here.