Ciprofloxacin, also known as Cipro is an antibiotic medicine belonging to the group of drugs called Fluoroquinolones. Cipro fights bacteria in human body. It is used to treat the different type of infections. It is also used to treat the patients who have been exposed to any biological agent, especially Anthrax. However, it does not work for flu, cold or other viral infections.
The medicine is available in other forms including Otic solution, Ophthalmic solution, Oral Suspension and Injectable Suspension. The drug can cause serious side effects and you should not use Cipro if you are suffering from the muscle disorder. Consult your doctor if you have a history of abnormal weakness of certain muscles (Myasthenia Gravis).
It may also cause tearing or swelling of a tendon (the fiber that connects muscles to the bones in the body). This side effect may be more likely to occur if you are over 55 if you have had a heart, kidney or lungs transplant or of you take a steroid. Immediately consult your doctor if you feel a sudden pain, tenderness, stiffness, bruising and problem in the movement in any of your joints. Stay in bed until you receive proper care and medication.
You should not use this medicine if you are already taking Tizanidine or if you are allergic to Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Gatifloxacin and Levofloxacin. To make sure that Cipro is safe for you, immediately consult your doctor if you have a family or personal history of Long QT syndrome if you are suffering from Arthritis, tendon problem or any other joint problem.
You should also consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are suffering from heart rhythm disorder and take medicine to treat this disorder. If you have trouble swallowing pills, have a liver problem, nerve or muscle disorder and kidney disease. Cipro can also cause a problem to patients who are suffering from seizures or epilepsy, brain tumor and low level of potassium in the blood.
Cipro is generally taken twice every 24 hours. Follow all the directions given by your doctor and don’t take this medicine in smaller or larger amounts than recommended. Take this medicine with at least 9 ounces (a full glass) of water. Drink at least ten glasses of water each day while taking this medicine. It can be taken with or without food but should be taken at the same time each day.
Don’t take Cipro with milk, yogurt or Calcium-fortified juice. You can consume these products as a part of your daily meal but don’t use them along with this medicine.
