Published on Jul 18, 2019 and last reviewed on Jan 06, 2023 - 5 min read
Abstract
If you are suffering from a bacterial infection, your doctor would have prescribed Ciprofloxacin. Know its uses, dosage, and side effects now.
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that belongs to the Fluoroquinolone group, used to treat various bacterial infections affecting many parts of the body. It treats infection by preventing bacteria from replicating and growing. It is prescribed for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI). It is also used for bone, abdomen, skin, and prostate infections.
Ciprofloxacin is available in infusion solution, oral suspension, tablet, extended-release tablet, eye drops, and ear drops.
It is used in treating the following infections:
Apart from these infections, it is also used to prevent and treat pneumonic and septicemic plague. It does not cure syphilis but can be used to delay the symptoms. For sinusitis, bronchitis, and UTI, Ciprofloxacin is only prescribed if other antibiotics fail, as the risk of side effects is higher.
Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against various types of bacterial infections. It is bactericidal, which means it kills bacteria by blocking enzymes needed for bacteria to divide and grow. But due to indiscriminate use, many bacteria have become resistant to Ciprofloxacin.
It starts working within an hour of taking orally. But, it might take a few days for the infection to go down and for you to see improvement.
Around 40 to 50 % of Ciprofloxacin is excreted through the urine unchanged, and it is completed excreted from the body within 24 hours. The half-life (time taken for the drug concentration to be 50 %) is 4 to 5 hours.
Your doctor will prescribe Ciprofloxacin based on the type and severity of bacterial infection, your age, and kidney or other underlying diseases. Always take this medicine under strict medical supervision, and do not take higher doses than prescribed.
Ciprofloxacin is available in the following strengths and forms:
The commonly recommended dosages for adults are:
For some chronic infections, it is prescribed for a more extended period. This medicine is used in a lower dosage for patients with kidney impairment.
Use it as directed by your physician. Ciprofloxacin is usually taken every 12 hours (twice a day), with or without food. Depending on how severe the infection is, you might have to take it for a week or more. Continue taking it even if you feel your symptoms have disappeared, and take it for the prescribed number of days. The infection might return if you stop the medicine in the middle.
The extended-release tablet should not be crushed or broken and should be swallowed as a whole. And oral suspension should be properly shaken before taking.
Avoid taking medicines or supplements (like Quinapril, Sucralfate, iron and zinc supplements, Sevelamer) 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking Ciprofloxacin, as it can interact and increase or decrease its effectiveness. Milk and other milk products that are rich in calcium can reduce the effect of Ciprofloxacin.
To avoid missing a dose, always take the tablet simultaneously every day so that you will form a habit. But because of any reason you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is already time for the next dose, skip the missed dose as it is not advisable to take two doses simultaneously. It might result in dangerous side effects.
The common side effects include:
If you or someone you know has taken too much Ciprofloxacin, then get immediate medical help. The symptoms of overdose are:
Ciprofloxacin is capable of interacting with many drugs and supplements. It can interact with the following drugs and might result in an increase or decrease in the efficacy of Ciprofloxacin or the other drug, or it can cause severe side effects. So always inform the doctor about the supplements you are taking if he or she prescribes you Ciprofloxacin.
Your doctor will alter the dosage or prescribe another antibiotic if you have one of the following medical conditions:
Always consult a doctor before taking any medicine and avoid self-medication. Taking antibiotics for a viral infection will not help.
For UTI (urinary tract infection), the prescribed dosage is 250 to 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. You might feel better in a few days but take it as long as your doctor prescribed it for.
Ciprofloxacin is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infection, and it works by killing bacteria. But recently, bacteria are becoming resistant to this drug.
It takes about 4 hours for the body to eliminate 50 % of serum Ciprofloxacin if your kidneys are functioning properly. And it takes around 24 hours for the drug to be completely discarded through the urine.
It usually takes about an hour for Ciprofloxacin to start working. But you will notice an improvement in your symptoms only after a couple of days.
Ciprofloxacin is less effective if taken along milk and milk products or calcium-rich foods. You can eat them before 2 hours or after 6 hours of taking medicine.
The extended-release form of Ciprofloxacin (Cipro XR) can be used to treat UTI. But, Cipro should not be used as the first-line drug, as the risk of serious side effects outweighs the benefits.
Ciprofloxacin interacts with many vitamin supplements, antacids, supplements (magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc), anticoagulants, Sildenafil, Tizanidine, etc.
The side effects of Cipro occur soon after you start taking them, but the longer you take them, the more prone you are for developing severe side effects. Most symptoms are not permanent and go away in some time. But if your symptoms persist, consult a doctor.
Drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages along with Ciprofloxacin increases the effect of caffeine like sleeplessness, restlessness, anxiety, heart palpitations, etc. So avoid drinking coffee when you are on Cipro.
It can reduce toothache by treating gum or tooth infection. But Amoxicillin is best for toothache and infection, as Ciprofloxacin is effective against gram-negative bacteria, and gram-positive bacteria usually cause tooth infections.
Last reviewed at:
06 Jan 2023 - 5 min read
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