Ciprofloxacin Information

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria and bacterial infections within the body and belongs to the class of drugs called fluoroquinolones.

You should not take ciprofloxacin with juice that has been fortified with calcium or any dairy products such as yogurt or milk. Although you can drink calcium-fortified juice or drink dairy products with your meal, you should not take them when taking ciprofloxacin as they make decrease the effectiveness of the medication.

Be sure to take all of the medication prescribed even if you start to feel better; your symptoms may start to disappear before your infection has been completely treated. You should also drink several extra glasses of water when you are taking ciprofloxacin. You need to take certain medications at least 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking ciprofloxacin. The medication may also increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight so you should avoid exposure to tanning beds, sunlight and sun lamps.

If you have any of the following conditions, be sure to consult with your doctor before taking ciprofloxacin:

• Joint problems
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Kidney disease
• History of allergic reactions to antibiotics

If you have any of the above, you may require a lower dose or special tests during treatment or you may not be able to take ciprofloxacin. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking the medication.

Make sure to take ciprofloxacin exactly as prescribed. Never take longer or higher doses than your doctor recommends. You should also drink an 8-ounce glass of water with each dose and drink several extra glasses during every day you take ciprofloxacin. Always swallow the pill whole without breaking, chewing or crushing the extended-release tablet. Because it is made to release medicine gradually throughout the body, breaking the pill may cause an excess of the drug to be released. You can also take ciprofloxacin with or without food, but it should be taken at the same time period every day.

Even if you start to feel better, be sure to complete all of the medication. Your symptoms may disappear before your infection has been completely treated. Ciprofloxacin is not effective to treat viral infections such as the flu or the common cold. Make sure to store the medication at room temperature away from heat and moisture and never allow the liquid medicine to freeze.

If you miss a dose of ciprofloxacin, take another when you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the missed dose and continue taking the drug during your next regularly scheduled time period. Never take extra medication to make up for a missed dose. If you believe you may have taken too much ciprofloxacin, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Possible overdose symptoms include blue lips with pale skin, weakness, problems urinating or seizures.

Don’t take caffeine while you’re taking ciprofloxacin because it can increase the effects of the caffeine. You should also avoid prolonged exposure to tanning beds, sunlamps and sunlight because ciprofloxacin can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and cause sunburns. Apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing if you need to go out in the sun. consult your doctor if you experience severe swelling, redness, itching or redness after sun exposure. You should also contact your doctor if you have bloody or watery diarrhea, and refrain from taking any medications to stop the diarrhea.

Because ciprofloxacin may cause side effects that can impair your reactions or thinking, you should exercise caution when driving or performing any activity that requires mental alertness. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ciprofloxacin and seek emergency medical attention:

• Seizures or convulsions
• Tingling, numbness or unusual pain anywhere in your body
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Low fever
• Swelling or sudden pain in your arm or ankle joints
• Dark urine or clay-colored stools
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
• Infrequent or frequent urination
• Bloody or watery diarrhea
• Hallucinations, thoughts of hurting yourself or others, depression or confusion
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of your tongue, face, throat or lips, hives or difficulty breathing

You may also experience less serious side effects such as insomnia, sleep problems, muscle pain or joint stiffness, increased sensitivity to sunlight, vomiting, blurred vision, nausea, as well as drowsiness or dizziness. Consult with your doctor if you experience any unusual or bothersome side effects that are not listed.

Certain drugs such as the following may interact with ciprofloxacin:

• Methazolamide
• Acetazolamide
• Caffeine
• Doxercalciferol
• Manganese
• Calcium salts
• Magnesium salts
• Phenytoin
• Theophylline
• Medication for diabetes
• Antacids
• Iron supplements
• Ramelteon
• Warfarin
• Mexiletine
• Zinc salts
• Sodium bicarbonate
• NSAIDs such as Advil, ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen or Aleve
• Aluminum salts
• Ursodiol
• Probenecid
• Multivitamins that contain magnesium, zinc sucralfate, iron, calcium or manganese
• Citric acid, sodium citrate or potassium citrate products
• Didanosine

What is the shelf life of the pills?

The expiry date is listed on each blister. The date will vary depending on the particular batch. The shelf life is 2 years from the manufacturing date and varies depending on when the pills were manufactured.