What is Ciprofloxacin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Ciprofloxacin

• Follow all directions when taking this medicine. Do not use more than directed.

• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

• Do not forget doses.

• Oral ciprofloxacin can be taken with or without food.

• Do not take ciprofloxacin tablets or oral suspension with foods high in calcium, like dairy products, if that’s the only thing you’re eating. However, ciprofloxacin can be taken with meals that include these products.

• Take ciprofloxacin tablets or oral suspension in the morning and night at the same time each day.

• Drink plenty of fluids when taking ciprofloxacin.

• How to take ciprofloxacin tablets

  • Extended-release tablets and regular tablets are not substitutable. If you switch, get a doctor’s prescription.

  • Ciprofloxacin tablets are taken twice daily, once in the morning and once at night.

  • Take the doses at the same time each morning and evening.

  • Immediate-release tablets are scored and may need to be divided. Have a healthcare professional show you how to do this.

  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew the immediate-release tablets. Do not crush, chew, or break extended-release tablets.

  • Store ciprofloxacin tablets at room temperature.

• How to take ciprofloxacin oral suspension

  • Ciprofloxacin doses are taken twice per day, once in the morning and once at night.

  • Take the doses at the same time each morning and evening.

  • Shake the bottle well for 15 seconds before measuring a dose.

  • Use a calibrated oral syringe to measure each dose. If one is missing, a pharmacist can provide one.

  • Swallow the suspension without chewing the microcapsules.

  • Store ciprofloxacin oral suspension at room temperature. Do not freeze.

  • Once all the prescribed doses have been taken, throw out the bottle and any remaining medicine.

• How to take ciprofloxacin eye drops

  • Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution is applied topically to the eyes.

  • Follow the doctor’s instructions when applying a dose. 

  • Do not allow the tip of the bottle to touch the eye, fingers, or other surfaces.

  • Remove soft contact lenses before applying eye drops to the eye.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.

  • Place your finger on the lower eyelid and pull it down.

  • Eye drops should be dropped into the pocket between the eye and the lower eyelid.

  • Gently close your eyes and place your index finger over the inner corner of the eye for one minute.

  • Store ciprofloxacin eye drops in the original bottle, protected from light, and at room temperature.

• How to take ciprofloxacin ear drops

  • Ciprofloxacin otic solution is for one use only in the ear.

  • Wash your hands.

  • Warm the bottle in your hands for at least 1 minute before applying a dose to the ear.

  • Lie down with the affected ear facing upward. 

  • Put the entire contents of the vial into the ear.

  • Stay in the same position for at least 1 minute.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ciprofloxacin

• Do not miss doses.

• If a ciprofloxacin tablet or dose of oral suspension is missed, take it when remembered unless the next dose is 6 hours away. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.

• Ask the doctor what to do if a dose of ciprofloxacin eye drops is missed.

• Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Ciprofloxacin contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin or any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Ciprofloxacin warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• Your doctor may need to do lab tests regularly to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Ciprofloxacin can cause potentially serious problems that require you to immediately contact a doctor and possibly stop taking the drug. These include:

  • Tendon swelling or tendon pain

  • Nerve dysfunction or damage in the hands, feet, and lower legs

  • Seizures

  • Psychiatric reactions like psychosis or suicidality

  • Liver impairment

  • Severe allergic reactions

• Even up to two months after treatment has ended, ciprofloxacin can cause serious problems that will require immediate emergency medical care:

  • Severe diarrhea 

  • Life-threatening bulge or tear in the main artery to the heart

• Do not breastfeed while taking ciprofloxacin and for two days after the doses have stopped.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing pills.

• Tell your doctor if you have:

  • Liver problems

  • Kidney disease

  • Tendon problems

  • Central nervous system problems such as seizures

  • Nerve problems

  • Myasthenia gravis

  • Diabetes

  • Problems with low blood sugar

  • Joint problems

  • Electrolyte deficiencies

• Ciprofloxacin may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Ciprofloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing when outdoors. Avoid sunlamps or tanning beds.

• In rare cases, ciprofloxacin may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more readily.

• Call the doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse.

Ciprofloxacin interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking ciprofloxacin.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• Do not use this medicine with the muscle relaxant Zanaflex (tizanidine).

• Some medicines and foods can affect how ciprofloxacin works or increase the risk or severity of side effects. Tell your doctor if you are taking:

  • Products containing caffeine

  • NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen

  • Steroid medications like prednisone

  • Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

  • Oral diabetes medications

  • Antidepressants, particularly Cymbalta (duloxetine)

  • Antipsychotic medications

  • Heart rhythm or heart rate drugs

  • Blood thinners

  • The sleeping aid Ambien (zolpidem)

  • The bronchodilator theophylline

  • The anti-seizure drug phenytoin

  • The immune suppressants cyclosporine or methotrexate

  • The erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension drug sildenafil

  • The Parkinson’s or restless legs syndrome drug ropinirole

  • The gout drug probenecid

• Take ciprofloxacin at least two hours before or six hours after taking antacids, sucralfate, buffered drugs, or supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc.

Find more detailed information about ciprofloxacin interactions to avoid here