Many common infections in human beings are caused by the single cell organisms famously known as ‘Bacteria’. Bacteria can grow and multiply fast and can infect different parts of the body very easily. To get rid of these bacterial infections, we use medicines that control and eradicate these bacteria’s from their root. Such medicines are known as, ‘Antibiotics’. Ciprofloxacin is such an antibiotic that belongs to the group of drugs called as ‘Fluoroquinolone’.

It is a second-generation Fluoroquinolone antibacterial. It works by stopping the multiplication of bacteria by inhibiting the reproduction and repair of their genetic material DNA. It comes in the form of tablets or solutions. It can also be used in treating bacterial infections of the lung airways, bones, ear, skin, blood, stomach, types of STDs, joints etc. Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, some experience may reveal that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although, these uses are not included in product labeling but you can consult your doctor for more details.

Please consult your doctor for the exact usage of the medication. Ciprofloxacin may be taken with or without food with a glass of water. Swallow it whole and avoid crushing the medicine. It is good to take the medicine on an empty stomach, one to two hours before having your meals. Ciprofloxacin is partially metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidney. Dosages require adjustment in patients with severely abnormal liver or kidney function. Antacids block the absorption of ciprofloxacin and they should not be taken together. For uncomplicated urinary tract infections Cipro XR can be given twice daily for three days while Proquin XR can be given once daily for three days.

The most frequent side effects include: Muscle pain, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, fever, weakness, abdominal pain, agitation, severe rashes, headache, breathing difficulties and restlessness. Rare allergic reactions have been described such as hives and anaphylaxis shock.
Please contact your doctor immediately to get treated, when any of these side effects are noticed or it may become worse to cope up with such medical conditions.

Ciprofloxacin administered together with theophylline can lead to elevated blood levels of theophylline. Theophylline is used to open airways in the treatment of asthma. Toxic levels of theophylline can lead to seizures and disturbances in heart rhythm. If concurrent use of ciprofloxacin and theophylline cannot be avoided frequent blood tests to monitor theophylline blood levels are performed. Ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with central nervous system diseases such as seizures because rare seizures have been reported in patients receiving this medication.

Many antibiotics including ciprofloxacin can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage overgrowth of a bacteria responsible for the development of inflammation of the colon pseudomembranous colitis. Pseudomembranous colitis can cause fever abdominal pain diarrhea and sometimes even shock. Patients taking ciprofloxacin can develop sensitivity of the skin to direct sunlight. Ciprofloxacin can enhance the action of the anticoagulant warfarin Coumadin and increase the risk of bleeding.

Avoid taking this medication with products containing: calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc or iron. Also avoid taking it with dairy products, or calcium fortified juices alone. Consult your doctor for more information and also inform, if you are allergic to Ciprofloxacin or any other medication in any other form.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911.

Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in children and adolescents under 18 years old as safe use in these patients have not been established.

It is recommended to avoid caffeine related products during the course. Try to drink lots of water to ensure good results.

If you miss a dose of this medicine take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses or it may lead to serious side effects.

Ciprofloxacin is used to treat infections of the skin, lungs airways, bones and joints caused by susceptible bacteria. Ciprofloxacin is also frequently used to treat urinary infections caused by bacteria such as E. coli. Ciprofloxacin is effective in treating infectious diarrheas caused by E. coli campylobacter jejuni and shigella bacteria.

Ciprofloxacin can be used for other uses. Please ask your doctor for more information on the medication.

Ciprofloxacin should be stored below 30°C and 86°F. Always keep the container of the medicine tightly closed. Avoid storing the medicine in the bathroom. Protect the medicine from moisture, direct light, heat etc. as they may cause the break down of the medicine.

Following precautions must be taken while using generic Cipro medication:

1. Discuss the complete medical history with your doctor before consuming Cipro. If you ever had any major illness like: mental illness, any head, arthritis, memory loss or personality change, depression, seizures, strokes, kidney disease, liver disease or any major operation, let your doctor know about this, so that accordingly he/she will suggest you for the medicine and its dose.

2. If you are consuming some other medicines, supplements, vitamins, herbal products etc. let your doctor be aware of this. If you have any allergies of certain drugs, feel free to share it with the doctor.

3. Do not share your medicine with others, even if they are suffering from the same condition.

4. Do not take the medicine, if you are allergic to it or to any of its components.

5. Pregnant women, women planning to conceive, and lactating mothers should consult their doctors before consuming this medicine.

6. Discard the any left over medicine, if it is not used or needed till 10 days and learn the proper method of discarding from your pharmacist or doctor.

7. Keep the medicine out of reach from the children, pets etc.

8. If any of the side effects seems severe or bothersome, contact your doctor immediately for any medical help.

9. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in children and adolescents under 18 years old as safe use in these patients have not been established.