Cipro (Ciprofloxacin)

Cipro is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections of the urinary tract, lower respiratory (lung) tract, skin, bone, joint, sinuses, and prostate. Cipro may also be used to treat other bacterial infections and conditions, as determined by your doctor. Cipro is available as tablets and an oral suspension.

Cipro can cause tendon rupture or swelling. Your risk can increase if you are over 60 years; are taking steroids; have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant; engage in physical activity or exercise; have kidney failure; or have past tendon problems (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Tell your doctor immediately if you experience pain, swelling, tears, or inflammation of tendons in the back of your ankle, shoulder, hand, or other tendon sites. Also, tell your doctor immediately if you hear or feel a snap or pop in a tendon area, bruise right after an injury in a tendon area, or are unable to move the affected area or bear weight. Cipro can cause worsening of myasthenia gravis (a disease characterized by long-lasting fatigue and muscle weakness). Tell your doctor immediately if you develop muscle weakness or trouble breathing. Cipro can cause seizures and breathing problems if you take it in combination with a medicine called theophylline. Tell your doctor if you are taking theophylline before beginning treatment with Cipro. Cipro can cause central nervous system (CNS) effects. Tell your doctor right away if you experience dizziness, seizures, hallucinations, restlessness, shaking, anxiousness or nervousness, confusion, depression, trouble sleeping, nightmares, suspiciousness, or suicidal thoughts or actions. Cipro can cause serious allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. Stop taking Cipro and tell your doctor right away if you experience hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, throat tightness, hoarseness, rapid heartbeat, fainting, skin rash, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or face. Diarrhea is a common problem when taking antibiotics; it usually ends when the antibiotic is stopped. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, people may develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. Contact your doctor right away if this occurs. Cipro can cause damage to the nerves in your arms, hands, legs, or feet. Tell your doctor right away if you develop pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in any of these areas of your body. Cipro can cause low blood sugar if you take it in combination with a diabetes medicine called glyburide. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly and tell your doctor if you have low blood sugar while you are taking Cipro. Take Cipro as prescribed by your doctor for the full course of treatment, even if your symptoms improve earlier. Do not skip doses. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of Cipro can decrease its effectiveness and can lead to the growth of bacteria that are resistant to the effects of Cipro.