What is ciprofloxacin used for

How to take the tablets and liquid Ciprofloxacin comes as mg, mg and mg tablets. Doses are usually lower for children and people with kidney problems. Swallow the tablets whole with lots of water. Do not chew them. How to apply the eyedrops You'll usually put 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye 4 times a day.

Gently pull down your lower eyelid with a clean finger and tilt your head back. Hold the bottle over your eye and allow a single drop to fall into the space between your lower lid and your eye.

Wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue. Put in a second drop if you have been told to. How to use the eye ointment Put just over 1 centimetre of ointment on the affected eye 2 or 3 times a day, or as your doctor advises.

Hold the tube with the nozzle close to your eye and gently squeeze the ointment into the space between your lower lid and your eye. How to use the eardrops Put up to 5 drops into the affected ear twice a day, or as your doctor advises.

Warm the drops by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes. Tilt your head and bring the container up to the affected ear, with the open end close to your ear hole. Squeeze the drops into your ear. If you can, lie down for at least 5 minutes afterwards. If you are only treating 1 ear, turn your head to one side, so your affected ear is towards the ceiling. What if I forget to take it? You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines What if I take or use too much?

Ciprofloxacin tablets or liquid If you take more than your dose of the tablets or liquid, you may get side effects. Urgent advice: Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if:. Common side effects Common side effects of ciprofloxacin happen in more than 1 in people. Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away: feeling sick nausea after taking the tablets or liquid diarrhoea after taking the tablets or liquid red or uncomfortable eye with a stinging, burning or gritty feeling after using the eyedrops or ointment bad taste in the mouth with the eyedrops or ointment white specks on the surface of your eye after using the eyedrops or ointment Serious side effects Very few people taking or using ciprofloxacin have serious side effects.

Stop taking ciprofloxacin and tell your doctor straight away if you have: muscle weakness, pain or swelling in your joints or tendons. This often begins in the ankle or calf, but could also be in your shoulder, arms or legs. It can occur in the first 2 days of taking ciprofloxacin or even several months after stopping.

It is more common in children. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to ciprofloxacin. These are not all the side effects of ciprofloxacin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about : feeling sick — stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food while you're taking this medicine. It might help to take ciprofloxacin after you have had a meal or snack diarrhoea after taking the tablets or liquid — drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee.

Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor discomfort or redness in the eyes after using the drops or ointment — this should go away on its own. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until your eyes feel comfortable again and your vision is clear bad taste in your mouth after using the eyedrops or ointment — this should not last long after using your medicine.

Drink some water or juice, or chew some sugar-free gum white specks on the surface of your eye after using the eyedrops or ointment — keep taking your ciprofloxacin but tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away.

However, it is OK to use the ear or eyedrops or the eye ointment. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. It's important to tell your doctor if you take any of the following medicines before taking ciprofloxacin: antacids for heartburn or indigestion — take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours after antacids. Do not take another antacid until at least 4 hours after your ciprofloxacin methotrexate , a medicine used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis phenytoin , a medicine for epilepsy steroids, such as prednisolone theophylline or aminophylline for asthma tizanidine, a medicine used for muscle stiffness warfarin , a blood thinner anticoagulant Mixing ciprofloxacin with herbal remedies and supplements Iron tablets such as ferrous sulphate or ferrous fumarate , calcium and zinc supplements can affect ciprofloxacin.

Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does it work? How long does it take to work? How long will I take it for? Your doctor will tell you how long to take or use ciprofloxacin. Is it safe to take for a long time? Ciprofloxacin is generally used for a short time to clear an infection.

Many people take ciprofloxacin and have no side effects. What will happen if I stop taking it? This is known as antibiotic resistance. How is it different to other anitbiotics? Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone or quinolone antibiotic. Different antibiotics kill different types of bacteria. Can I drink alcohol with it?

Yes, you can drink alcohol with ciprofloxacin. Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? Will it affect my fertility? Will it affect my contraception? Ciprofloxacin belongs to the class of drugs known as quinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Dated November I'm a 36 yo Male who has been suffering for months now. Was prescribed both levaquin an ciprofloxacin and sent home. After taking the Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.

Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. In this article About ciprofloxacin Before taking ciprofloxacin How to take ciprofloxacin Getting the most from your treatment Can ciprofloxacin cause problems?

How to store ciprofloxacin Important information about all medicines. Ciprofloxacin for infection Ciproxin In this article About ciprofloxacin Before taking ciprofloxacin How to take ciprofloxacin Getting the most from your treatment Can ciprofloxacin cause problems?

Common ciprofloxacin side-effects these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people What can I do if I experience this? Feeling sick nausea or being sick vomiting Stick to simple foods - avoid rich or spicy meals. It may help to take your doses after food Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If the diarrhoea is severe or continues to be a problem, speak with your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

If you have any questions about this medicine, ask your pharmacist. Are you protected against flu? Further reading and references.