What You Need to Know About the Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic from the quinolone family. The medication is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections because of its ability to stop bacteria growth in its tracks.

Recently, Ciprofloxacin was prescribed for me in an attempt to kill a serious kidney infection. Although it did not work in my case, it has proven quite effective in many others.

The drug is normally prescribed in pill form (including a chewable option for children) although an oral suspension is also available. It comes in 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg dosages.

It is important to drink plenty of water when taking Ciprofloxacin to ensure the drug's effective absorption into the body. Those taking antacids in conjunction with Ciprofloxacin must refrain from doing so for at least two hours prior to or two hours after taking the antibiotic.

Buffered aspirins, some vitamins and minerals, and calcium enriched foods may negate the drug's effectiveness. Patients should clear the taking of any of these items with their physician before they are used.

Because antibiotics work better when the dosage amount is consistent, it is important not to misses doses of Ciprofloxacin. If one is inadvertently overlooked, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered.

The only exception to that rule would be if the dose would be too close to the scheduled subsequent dose. In that case, the missed dose should not be taken. Instead, take the next dose as prescribed and move forward from there.

Common side effects of Ciprofloxacin include diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nausea, and trouble sleeping. These should go away from the body has adjusted to the medication.

Other side effects of the drug could include changes in personality, confusion, depression, easily obtained skin burns, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, and tremors. Such symptoms should be reported to the prescribing physician as quickly as possible.

Ciprofloxacin may, on occasion, cause more severe side effects. These could include abdominal pain, blood in the stool or urine, high fever, inability to see normally, jaundice of the eyes or skin, muscle weakness or numbness, nerve damage, rapid heart beat, seizure, severe headache, unexplained bruising or bleeding, unconsciousness, uncontrolled diarrhea and vomiting. Anyone experiencing those conditions should report immediately to the doctor's office or clinic.

Allergy to Ciprofloxacin is usually evidenced by blackouts, development of a skin rash, swelling of the body and trouble breathing. These are emergency situations that should be treated at an ER, urgent care facility, or hospital.

Those prescribed Ciprofloxacin should tell their physicians if they are taking other quinolone antibiotics like gemifloxacin, levofloxicin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, or ofloxacin. These could constitute an overdose or cause drug interaction.

Other drugs that could interact with Ciprofloxacin include amiodarone, clarithromycin, dofetilide, erythromycin, procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol. Some anti-psychotic meds like pimozine, thioridazine, and ziprasidone could also be ill advised.

Medical conditions such as brain tumor or injury, cerebral atheroscleroisis, diabetes, heart disease, joint conditions, kidney disease, liver disease, nervous system disorders, seizure disorders, or tendon problems must also be reported before accepting the medication.

Live bacterial vaccines should be avoided while taking Ciprofloxacin. Blood thinners, corticosteriods, and some liver enzymes may also be contraindicated. Patients may also be advised to avoid NSAID medications.

Ciprofloxacin should be stored at room temperature in an area that is not exposed to direct sunlight or high moisture content. When the patient is finished taking the medication, any remaining pills should be discarded according to acceptable health and safety standards.

Ciprofloxacin should not be passed from one patient to another under any circumstance since only a physician can gage an individual's ability to handle the drug. Accomplishing this may required laboratory testing and other medical procedures.

An overdose of Ciprofloxacin should be reported to the local or federal Poison Control Center as quickly as possible and the individual should be immediately transported to an ER.