Drug Name

Cipro (Ciprofloxacin)

Drug Uses

Ciprofloxacin is used to treat infections of the skin, lungs, airways, bones, as well as joints, caused by susceptible bacteria. Ciprofloxacin is as well as frequently used to treat urinary infections, caused by bacteria such as E. coli. Ciprofloxacin is effective in treating infectious diarrheas, caused by E. coli, campylobacter jejuni, as well as shigella bacteria.

How Taken

Ciprofloxacin may be used with or without food. Ciprofloxacin is partially metabolized by the liver as well as excreted by the kidney. Dosages require adjustment in patients with severely abnormal liver or kidney function. Antacids block the absorption of ciprofloxacin as well as they should not be used together. For uncomplicated urinary tract infections, Cipro can be given twice daily for three days while Proquin XR can be given once daily for three days.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Many ordinary infections in humans are caused by single cell organisms, called bacteria. Bacteria can grow as well as multiply, infecting dissimilar parts of the body. Medicines that control as well as eradicate these bacteria are called antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that stops multiplication of bacteria by inhibiting the reproduction as well as repair of their genetic bodily (DNA).

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But, incase it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Storage

Ciprofloxacin should be stored at below 86 degrees F.

Warnings/Precautions

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ciprofloxacin may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, as well as a sunburn may result. Incase sun exposure is unavoidable, wear protective clothing as well as take a sunscreen. Consult your doctor incase you experience very bad burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun. Take caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ciprofloxacin may cause dizziness. Incase you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. Avoid excessive consumption of products that contain caffeine. Ciprofloxacin may increase the effects of caffeine. Ciprofloxacin, administered together with theophylline, can lead to elevated blood levels of theophylline. Theophylline is used to unfastened airways in the treatment of asthma. Toxic levels of theophylline can lead to seizures, as well as disturbances in heart rhythm. Incase concurrent take of ciprofloxacin as well as theophylline cannot be avoided, repeated blood tests to monitor theophylline blood levels are performed. Ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with central nervous system diseases such as seizures, because rare seizures possess been reported in patients, receiving this medication. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in children as well as adolescents under 18 years aged, as protected take in these patients possess not been established. Many antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, can alter the common bacteria in the colon as well as encourage overgrowth of a bacteria, accountable for the development of inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis). Pseudomembranous colitis can cause fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, as well as sometimes even shock. Patients using ciprofloxacin can develop sensitivity of the skin to direct sunlight. Ciprofloxacin can enhance the action of the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin), as well as increase the risk of bleeding. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in pregnancy, as protected take in these patients possess not been established. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in nursing mothers, as protected take in these patients possess not been established.

Likely Side Effects

The most repeated side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, headache, as well as restlessness. Rare allergic reactions possess been described, such as hives as well as anaphylaxis (shock).

More Information

Incase you experience any of the following humorless side effects, halt using ciprofloxacin as well as seek emergency health examination attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); seizures; confusion or hallucinations; liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, very bad fatigue); or muscle or joint pain; skin rash; or chest pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or swelling of the legs or feet.If you experience any of the following less humorless side effects, continue using ciprofloxacin as well as talk to your doctor: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; headache; dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness; insomnia; ringing in the ears; or increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.Side effects other than those listed here may as well as occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.