Detailed Information
Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. This medication
is used to treat pneumonia , bronchitis, abdomen infections, skin
and skin structure Infections, bone and joint infections , urinary
tract infections (UTI), acute uncomplicated cystitis in females,
chronic bacterial prostatitis, sinus infections, infectious diarrhea,
typhoid fever, inhalational anthrax (post-exposure), sexually transmitted
disease (e.g. gonorrhea). Ciprofloxacin may also be prescribed for
children with a urinary tract infection or kidney infection when
other antibiotics are not effective.
How to take
- Ciprofloxacin tablets can be taken with food or on an empty
stomach. The medication should not be taken with dairy products
(such as milk or yogurt) or calcium-fortified juices alone. However,
Ciprofloxacin may be taken with a meal that contains these products.
- Drink plenty of fluids while taking Ciprofloxacin to prevent
crystals from forming in your urine.
- Like other antibiotics, Ciprofloxacin works best when there
is a constant amount in the blood and urine. To help keep the
level constant, try not to miss any dose, and take them at approximately
the same time every day.
- If you have a known or suspected central nervous system disorder
such as epilepsy or hardening of the arteries in the brain, make
sure your doctor knows about it when prescribing Cipro.
- Contact your doctor if you experience muscle weakness, paralysis,
pain or numbness, a burning sensation, or a "pins and needles"
sensation.
- You may become more sensitive to light while taking ciprofloxacin.
Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.
- If you feel any pain or inflammation in a tendon area, stop
taking the drug and call your doctor; you should rest and avoid
exercise. You may need surgery to repair the tendon.
- Use Ciprofloxacin with caution in the eldery. They may be more
sensitive to its effects (eg, tendon problems), especially if
they take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone).
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) dosage
If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe dosages
lower than the ones listed below.
Note that if you're using the oral suspension, 1 teaspoonful of
5% suspension equals 250 milligrams and 1 teaspoonful of 10% suspension
equals 500 milligrams.
ADULTS
Urinary Tract Infections:
The usual adult dosage is 250 mg taken every 12 hours. Complicated
infections, as determined by your doctor, may require 500 mg taken
every 12 hours. Treatment usually lasts 7 to 14 days.
Cystitis (Bladder Inflammation) in Women:
The usual dosage is either 100 mg or 250 mg every 12 hours. Treatment
usually lasts 3 days.
Lower Respiratory Tract, Skin, Bone, and Joint Infections:
The usual recommended dosage is 500 mg taken every 12 hours. Complicated
infections, as determined by your doctor, may require a dosage of
750 mg taken every 12 hours. Treatment usually lasts 7 to 14 days,
except for bone and joint infections, which require 4 to 6 weeks.
Infectious Diarrhea; Typhoid Fever; Sinus, Prostate, and
Abdominal Infections:
The recommended dosage is 500 mg taken every 12 hours. Treatment
lasts 5 to 7 days for diarrhea, 10 days for typhoid fever and sinus
infections, 7 to 14 days for abdominal infections, and 28 days for
prostate infections.
Inhalational Anthrax:
For adults, the recommended dosage is 500 mg taken every 12 hours.
Children's doses are calculated at a rate of 15 milligrams per 2.2
pounds of body weight up to a maximum of 500 mg per dose. Treatment
continues for 60 days.
Gonorrhea in the Urethra or Cervix:
For these sexually transmitted diseases, a single 250 mg dose is
the usual treatment.
CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 17 YEARS OLD
Urinary Tract and Kidney Infections:
The usual dosage is based on your child's weight. It should be taken
every 12 hours for 10 to 21 days.
Inhalational Anthrax:
The usual dosage is based on your child's weight. It should be taken
every 12 hours for 60 days.
