Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that belongs to the family of medications known as quinolones. It is used for the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria. It is most commonly used to treat infections of the skin, sinuses, bone, lung, ear, abdomen, and bladder. It can also be used to treat some sexually transmitted infections, some forms of infectious diarrhea, and typhoid fever.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

The recommended adult dose of ciprofloxacin ranges from 250 mg to 750 mg twice daily. For sexually transmitted infections, the dose is given once as a single dose. The exact dose depends on the condition being treated and other factors. Ciprofloxacin can be taken with or without food.

Drink plenty of fluids while taking ciprofloxacin and avoid taking dairy products or antacids containing magnesium or aluminum. Although ciprofloxacin can be taken with meals that include milk, you should not take ciprofloxacin with dairy products alone or with calcium-fortified products.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Even if you start to feel better after the start of treatment, it's important to finish the entire amount that was prescribed. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Store the oral suspension at room temperature or in the refrigerator in a upright position, protect it from freezing, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Store the tablets at room temperature and keep them out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

250 mg
Each white, round, coated tablet, engraved with "C93" on one side and "rph" on the other side, contains ciprofloxacin HCl equivalent to ciprofloxacin 250 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide and triacetin.

500 mg
Each white, oblong, coated tablet, engraved with "C92" on one side and "rph" on the other side, contains ciprofloxacin HCl equivalent to ciprofloxacin 500 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide and triacetin.

750 mg
Each white, oblong, coated tablet, engraved with "C91" on one side and "rph" on the other side, contains ciprofloxacin HCl equivalent to ciprofloxacin 750 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycolate, titanium dioxide and triacetin.

Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.

Ciprofloxacin should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to ciprofloxacin or any other ingredient of the medication
• is allergic to other quinolone antibiotics
• is taking tizanidine

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• headache
• mild diarrhea
• nausea

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• diarrhea (watery and severe; may also be bloody)
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• pain, inflammation, or swelling in shoulders, hands, or calves of legs
• pain, swelling, or rupture of a tendon
• severe abdominal or stomach cramps or pain

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• confusion or changes in thought patterns
• fainting
• irregular or fast heart rate
• signs of an allergic reaction (hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, tongue, or throat)
• skin rash, especially if skin is blistering, loosening, or peeling

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.

Allergic reactions: In rare cases, some people may develop an allergic reaction to this medication. Signs of an allergic reaction include a severe rash, swollen face, or difficulty breathing. If these occur, contact your doctor immediately.

Antibiotic-related diarrhea: As with other antibiotics, ciprofloxacin can cause a severe form of diarrhea associated with the condition pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop severe diarrhea while taking this medication, contact your doctor.

Behaviour and movement changes: Rarely, this medication can cause behaviour and movement changes such as, agitation, anxiety, confusion, depression, tremors, hallucinations, and other mood changes. If you experience any of the above, contact your doctor immediately.

Driving and operating heavy machinery: Ciprofloxacin may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery, especially when combined with alcohol. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication will affect you.

Kidney function: Since ciprofloxacin is removed from the body primarily by the kidney, people with reduced kidney function should be closely monitored by their doctor while taking ciprofloxacin. Their dosage may be reduced by the doctor.

Other infections: Use of ciprofloxacin for a long time may lead to infections by yeast or fungi.

Seizures: Seizures may rarely occur with this medication. If you have a medical condition that would increase the risk of seizures, your doctor will monitor you closely. If you have a seizure while taking this medication, stop taking it and get immediate medical attention.

Sun sensitivity: People who take ciprofloxacin are more likely to experience sunburn. While taking ciprofloxacin, be careful if you must spend time in the sun. Stop taking the medication if sun sensitivity occurs.

Tendinitis: Ciprofloxacin may increase the chance of tendon injury. Injury occurs more commonly for seniors who are also taking corticosteroid medicines. If there is any new pain in the tendons, stop taking ciprofloxacin, avoid physical exercise, and consult your doctor.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking it immediately and call your doctor.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children under the age of 18 years.

The following medications may affect how ciprofloxacin works or increase the risk of side effects:

• antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide, calcium, and magnesium hydroxide (do not take these products for at least 2 hours before or for 6 hours after ciprofloxacin)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
• buffered antiretroviral medications (e.g., didanosine) (do not take these products for at least 2 hours before or for 6 hours after ciprofloxacin)
• caffeine
• calcium supplements and multivitamins that contain calcium (do not take these products for at least 2 hours before or for 6 hours after ciprofloxacin)
• cyclosporine
• iron supplements
• multivitamins that contain iron (do not take these products for at least 2 hours before or for 6 hours after ciprofloxacin)
• probenecid
• sucralfate (do not take these products for at least 2 hours before or for 6 hours after ciprofloxacin)

Ciprofloxacin may affect the way the following medications work:

• cyclosporin
• glyburide
• methotrexate
• theophylline
• warfarin
• tizanidine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.