Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, ears, sinus, skin, bones, joints, kidney, bladder, prostate, abdomen and stomach.
This medicine may also be used to treat inhalation anthrax (an infection caused by breathing in the spores of a bacteria).
It can only be used to treat genital tract infections caused by a bacterium known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Ciprofloxacin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Ciprofloxacin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. You may take it with food to reduce any stomach discomfort that it may cause. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Ciprofloxacin is available as an extended-release tablet or as an oral suspension.
If you are taking the extended-release type of tablet (usually labelled "ER"), swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.
If you are taking an oral suspension, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
Ciprofloxacin must be taken at regular intervals for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of antibiotic. If you don't, the infection will not clear completely.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Ciprofloxacin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any similar antibiotics such as moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, and nalidixic acid.
Alert your doctor if you have history of myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder) as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
DO NOT take Ciprofloxacin with tizanidine, a medicine used to treat conditions which causes contractions and stiffening of the muscles.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease e.g. heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, history of heart attack
- electrolyte imbalance e.g. low potassium or magnesium levels
- with or a family history of aortic aneurysm (weakness and bulging of the blood vessel wall in the lower major blood vessel away from the heart)
- have had or a family history of aortic dissection (tear of the blood vessel wall in the lower major blood vessel away from the heart)
- conditions predisposing to aortic aneurysm or dissection e.g. high blood pressure, build-up of cholesterol in the walls of arteries, certain connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- tendon or joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in joints of fingers, wrist, feet, ankles)
- nerve problems
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder that affects the red blood cells)
- diabetes
Ciprofloxacin is not recommended for the treatment of certain bacterial infections caused by
Streptococcus pneumoniae, and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (in some countries) due to the risk of resistance of bacteria to infection.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have a certain laboratory test (e.g. urine test for opioids), inform your doctor that you are taking Ciprofloxacin.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Bacterial culture and sensitivity tests must be done before starting the treatment to know if this medicine is suitable for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests) may be needed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Ciprofloxacin may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and indigestion.
Ciprofloxacin may also make your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen mouth or eyes
- pain, tenderness, and swelling of the joints
- inflammation or ruptured tendons
- muscle pain, numbness, tingling sensation or weakness
- fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, having thoughts of self-harm, seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- fits or seizures
- watery or bloody diarrhoea accompanied by stomach cramps or fever
- signs of aortic aneurysm e.g. sudden chest, stomach or back pain
- symptoms of hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar e.g. dizziness, tremor, shaky hands, feeling hungry, weak or confused, problems speaking
- stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools
- severe or persistent diarrhoea
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
DO NOT take this medicine with tizanidine, a medicine used to treat conditions which causes muscle contractions and stiffness.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- theophylline (medicine for asthma)
- medicines for heart disease e.g. quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. ibuprofen, celecoxib
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. clozapine, olanzapine
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin
- probenecid (medicine for gout)
- medicines for stomach problems e.g. sucralfate, metoclopramide, omeprazole
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ciprofloxacin.
This medicine should not be taken with antacids or supplements that contain aluminium, calcium, iron, or magnesium. These may reduce the effectiveness of Ciprofloxacin. If you must take antacids or supplements containing aluminium, calcium, iron, or magnesium, take Ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after such products.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Do not take Ciprofloxacin with dairy products or mineral-fortified drinks alone (milk, yoghurt or calcium-fortified orange juice). These products may reduce the effectiveness of this medicine when taken at the same time.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
The oral suspension can be stored at room temperature not exceeding 30°C. Do not allow to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used. Throw away any unused portion after 14 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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