Ciprofloxacin is the drug that is used to treat the infections caused by bacteria in the body. This drug belongs to a group of antibiotic  drugs called fluoroquinolones.

The various bacterial infections treated using this drug are:

§  Infections of the lower respiratory tract

§  The abdomen, the skin, the bones and joint infections

§  Urinary tract infections, including cystitis (bladder inflammation) in women

§  Severe sinus or bronchial infections

§  Infectious diarrhea

§  Typhoid fever

§  Infections of the prostate gland

§  Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea

Additionally, some doctors prescribe Cipro for certain serious ear infections, tuberculosis, and some of the infections common in people with AIDS.

Understanding the drug:

How it works?

The antibiotic ciprofloxacin works by killing the bacteria that cause the infection. It is effective against both the gram positive and gram negative bacterial cells. The drug hampers the cell replication process of bacteria, by inhibiting the function of DNA gyrase or type II topoisomerase enzymes that separates the bacterial DNA and prepares it for  the replication process.

Who should avoid it?

You should not take this drug if you:

§  Have  an allergy to this drug

§  Have heart rhythm problems

§  Have trouble swallowing this drug

§  Have liver problems

§  Have kidney disease

§  Have seizures or epilepsy

§  Have a history of brain injury

§  Have low levels of potassium in blood

§  Are breastfeeding as this drug may pass into the blood and may harm the baby

§  Are pregnant

What are the strengths available?

The drug Ciprofloxacin antibiotic is available on our website in the following strengths and brand names:

Ciplox 100 mg

Ciplox 250 mg

Ciplox 500 mg

Ciplox 750 mg

Cifran-OD 1000 mg

Who is the manufacturer?

Ciplox and Cifran are the products of two well known Indian pharmaceutical companies Cipla  and Ranbaxy respectively. These two drugs are available in different pack sizes of tablets our website.

How much to take?

The drug is taken with a  gap of 12 hours in between hence the drug should be taken exactly as prescribed by the doctor only. Do not take this drug less or more than the prescribed dose.

How to take it?

Cipro may be taken with or without meals but is best tolerated when taken 2 hours after a meal. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication to prevent crystals from forming in your urine.

When to take?

The drug is taken two times a day, usually in the morning and evening with or without meals.

For how long should it be taken?

The length of treatment with Cipro depends upon the severity of infection. Generally, Cipro should be continued for at least 2 days after the signs and symptoms of infection have disappeared. The usual length of time is 7 to 14 days; however, for severe and complicated infections, treatment may be prolonged. The following is the detail of the treatment:

§  Bone and joint infections: treatment for 4 to 6 weeks or longer

§  Infectious diarrhea: may be treated for 5 to 7 days

§  Typhoid fever: is treated for 10 days

§  Chronic prostate inflammation should be treated for 28 days

§  Cystitis in women: takes 3 days of treatment

What if you take too much (overdose)?

Symptoms of overdose are like:

§  Restlessness

§  Irritability

§  Drowsiness

Seek medical attention in case you find you have used more of this medicine or if you find  the kind of discomfort after taking this medicine. 

What if you miss the dose?   

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is almost the time of your taking the next dose, then skip the missed dose and never take up extra medicine to make up for the missed one.

What are the side effects?

Along with the benefits, most of the medicines have their unwanted side effects. It is not necessary that everyone will experience them. Some of the side effects may ward off automatically as your body becomes used to it or adjust itself accordingly.       

Certain side effects include:

§  Feeling tired and sleepy

§  Feeling sick

§  Dry mouth

§  Diarrhea

§  Vomiting

§  Stomach pain

§  Indigestion

§  Intestinal inflammation

§  Involuntary eye movement

§  Irregular Nausea

§  Sore throat or cough

§  Constipation

§  Hyperactivity

§  Tremors or weakness

Are there any possible drug interactions?

Drugs may interact with each other to produce certain unwanted effects like changing the way they work or increase the chances of side effects. Make a list of all the products you use and share it with your doctor.

If Cipro is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. These drugs include:

§  Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

§  Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)

§  Glyburide Metoprolol

§  Phenytoin

§  Probenecid

§  Sucralfate

§  Theophylline

§  Warfarin

What are the things to be taken care of?

§  Avoid alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers as they may increase drowsiness.

§  Do not drive or work use tools or machines, i.e. don’t do that work which will require mental alertness as this medicine may cause drowsiness in some people.

§  Do not give this medicine to anyone else.