Ciprofloxacin
Also sold as: Cipro, Ciproxin
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 250 to 750 mg twice a day, usually for 3 to 14 days depending on the infection. Drink plenty of water. Do not take at the same time as milk, antacids, iron or zinc — leave at least 2 hours. Finish the full course.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- headache
- dizziness
- trouble sleeping
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- tendon pain or swelling (especially the heel)
- numbness or tingling of hands or feet
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- seizures
- severe allergic reaction
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Children and teenagers who are still growing (unless a doctor decides it is needed)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Previous tendon problems with this type of antibiotic
- Epilepsy (use with caution)
- Heart rhythm problems (long QT)
- Myasthenia gravis
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious4 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Aminophylline
Ciprofloxacin raises theophylline levels and can cause fits and heart rhythm problems.
- Sucralfate
Sucralfate greatly reduces ciprofloxacin absorption; take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before.
- Theophylline
Raises theophylline levels and can cause seizures or dangerous heart rhythms.
- Tizanidine
Ciprofloxacin raises tizanidine levels many times and can cause very low blood pressure and fainting; do not use together.
Moderate10 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Aluminium hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide
Antacids block absorption; take ciprofloxacin 2 hours before or 6 hours after.
- Calcium carbonate
Calcium reduces absorption of ciprofloxacin; take the antibiotic 2 hours before or 6 hours after calcium.
- Calcium carbonate + Colecalciferol
Calcium reduces absorption of ciprofloxacin; take the antibiotic 2 hours before or 6 hours after calcium.
- Ferrous fumarate
Iron reduces absorption of ciprofloxacin; take the antibiotic 2 hours before or 6 hours after iron.
- Ferrous sulfate
Iron blocks absorption; take ciprofloxacin 2 hours before or 6 hours after.
- Ferrous sulfate + Folic acid
Iron reduces absorption of ciprofloxacin; take the antibiotic 2 hours before or 6 hours after iron.
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- Multivitamin
Minerals in multivitamins reduce ciprofloxacin absorption; separate by at least 2 to 6 hours.
- Sodium alginate + Sodium bicarbonate
Antacid products can reduce ciprofloxacin absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart.
- Warfarin
Can raise the effect of warfarin; INR should be checked.
- Zinc sulfate
Zinc reduces ciprofloxacin absorption; take ciprofloxacin 2 hours before or 6 hours after.