What does it do?
Ciprofloxacin is used to treat and prevent bacterial infections.
How should you take it?
Take ciprofloxacin regularly as directed. Keep taking it until the course is finished, even if you start to feel better.
Take the tablets with a glass of water.
Measure the liquid carefully with an oral syringe or measuring spoon. Shake the bottle well before measuring each dose. Do not chew the granules in the liquid.
What if you forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue as directed.
Can you take other medicines?
Some medicines available without a prescription may react with ciprofloxacin including:
- products containing calcium, iron, magnesium or zinc, such as: antacids (e.g. Mylanta®) or multivitamins. These products should be taken at least 4 hours before or 2 hours after taking each dose of ciprofloxacin.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Pain or swelling in tendons or joints Trouble breathing |
Tell your doctor immediately |
|
Severe or persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain Confusion, agitation, unusual behaviour or thinking Small white sores in mouth, furry tongue (oral thrush) Vaginal itch or discharge (vaginal thrush) Skin rash, itching Numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes |
Tell your doctor |
|
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea Headache, dizziness Changes in vision |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney or heart problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have a chronic muscle condition (e.g. myasthenia gravis), G6PD deficiency, or if you have ever had a seizure.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Do not consume dairy products or products with added calcium within 2 hours of taking a dose of ciprofloxacin. Minimise caffeine intake.
- Protect yourself from too much sunlight while being treated with ciprofloxacin. Always cover up and apply a thick layer of broad spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30) when outside. Do not use sunbeds.
- Ciprofloxacin may cause dizziness and make it dangerous to drive, operate machinery or do other activities that require you to be alert.
- Store ciprofloxacin liquid at room temperature, or in the fridge, but do not freeze. Once the course is finished, take any leftover liquid back to your pharmacy.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. March 2018
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed