What is Cipro (ciprofloxacin) ?
Cipro is used to treat different types of bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure. Ciprofloxacin is also used to treat or prevent anthrax(acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis) ,plague, tularemia. Most forms of the disease are lethal.
Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics ,such as enoxacin; gatifloxacin; levofloxacin; lomefloxacin; moxifloxacin; norfloxacin; ofloxacin; sparfloxacin. Fluoroquinolones are used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. They kill bacteria or prevent their growth.
Ciprofloxacin has over three hundred different brand names. Most famous in USA and UK: Baycip, Ciloxan, Ciflox, Cipro, Cipro XR, Cipro XL, Ciproxin, Prociflor.In India and Russia is called Ciprex . Ciprofloxacin is available as a generic drug.
Cipro was patented in 1983 by Bayer A.G. and subsequently approved by the USA FDA in 1987
Cipro medical usage and dosage
Cipro comes as a tablet ( 250, 500, and 750 mg), a suspension ( 250 mg/5 ml, 500 mg/5 ml) , extended-release tablet ( 500 and 1000 mg) , injection concentrate(200 and 400 mg.),eye and ear drops.
Cipro is used to treat :
- infections of the skin, lungs, airways
- bones, and joints caused by susceptible bacteria,
- inary infections caused by bacteria such as E. coli.
- infectious diarrheas caused by E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Shigella bacteria.
- urinary tract infections
- cystitis
- prostatitis
- lower respiratory tract infections
- acute sinusitis
- bone and joint infection
- urethra gonorrhea
Recommended oral dose with immediate release tablets for adults is 250-750 mg twice a day, in the morning and evening. Recommended oral dose with extended-release tablets for adults is 500-1000 mg once a day.Cipro may be taken with or without food.
The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have.Do not take Cipro with dairy products such as milk or yogurt, or with calcium-fortified juice.Do not drink or eat a lot of caffeine products such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola, or chocolate. Ciprofloxacin increase nervousness, sleeplessness, heart pounding, and anxiety.If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of Cipro in the blood or urine.
Cipro is not recommended for use in infants, children, or teenagers, except in the case of inhalational anthrax.
Stop taking Cipro and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints.
Before taking cipro
If you are allergic to quinolone antibiotics such as norfloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, or ofloxacin, don’t take Cipro. Be careful, if you have heart problems , joint problems ,kidney disease, liver disease, nervous system disorder ,seizure disorder, conditions that increase your risk of seizures.Ciprofloxacin affects the heart rhythm . Ciprofloxacin make serious changes in blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes. Cipro may make you dizzy and more sensitive to the sun
Cipro and pregnancy
Ciprofloxacin has pregnancy category C by the FDA. Ciprofloxacin contraindicated during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Avoid using Cipro in pregnancy and breastfeeding.Ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk It is unknown , whether it can harm an unborn baby.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Cipro common Side Effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have:
The most frequent side effects of cipro
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Stuffy nose
- Stomach upset
- Nausea
- Fever
- Asthma
- A rash
Cipro should be avoided in children less than 18 years old.Cipro may cause problems with bones, joints, and tissues around joints in children
Cipro serious side effects
- flu-like symptoms
- seizures
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- hallucinations
- joint or muscle pain
- depression
- anxiety
Interactions cipro with other medicines
Do not take Cipro with tizanidine.
Be careful, if you are taking other drugs,such as:
- live bacterial vaccines
- blood thinners
- corticosteroids
- drugs that removed from your body by certain liver enzymes
- drugs for diabetes
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- urinary alkalinizers
- heart rhythm drugs
- certain macrolide antibiotics
- certain antipsychotic medications
- seizure risk with isoniazid