CIPROFLOXACIN/CIPRO

Important Information:

Take all of the ciprofloxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Drink plenty of extra fluid every day while taking ciprofloxacin.

Do not take antacids that contain calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids); the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate); or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron or zinc for a minimum of 6 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of ciprofloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of ciprofloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.

WHAT IS CIPROFLOXACIN

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin fights bacteria in the body.Ciprofloxacin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections.  Ciprofloxacin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor if you havekidney disease; or epilepsy or seizures.

You may not be able to take ciprofloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have either of the conditions listed above.

Ciprofloxacin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether ciprofloxacin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk and may affect bone development of the nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ciprofloxacin is not approved for use by children younger than 18 years of age (except for use in post-exposure inhalational anthrax). It may interfere with bone development.

DOSAGE INSTRUCTIONS

Take ciprofloxacin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of ciprofloxacin crystals in the urine

Do not crush, break, or chew the CIPRO XR tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the body.

Ciprofloxacin may be taken with or without food. It is preferable to take ciprofloxacin 2 hours after a meal.

Do not take ciprofloxacin with dairy products (such as milk or yogurt) or calcium-fortified juice alone. It is not a problem if ciprofloxacin is taken with dietary calcium in a normal meal, but when taken only with dairy products or calcium-fortified juice, the effectiveness of the medication may be decreased.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

MISSED A DOSE?

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

OVERDOSE

Seek emergency medical attention.  The most common symptom of a ciprofloxacin overdose is seizures.

SIDE EFFECTS?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ciprofloxacin and seek emergency medical 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, severe 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 serious side effects, continue taking ciprofloxacin and 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 also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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