What is this medication used for?

Ciprofloxacin is a type of quinolone antibiotic used to treat some bacterial infections. These may include infections of the urinary tract, lungs, stomach, intestines, eye and ear.

Dosage and How to Use

• You can take this medicine with or without food.

• You should complete each course of antibiotics even if you feel better as incomplete treatment might cause the infection to return or cause antibiotic resistance. When antibiotic resistance happens, the antibiotic will not be able to control the growth or kill the bacteria anymore.

• You should take the following items 2-4 hours before or after ciprofloxacin as taking them together might decrease the absorption of ciprofloxacin in your body.

  • Milk or dairy products

  • Indigestion medicines such as antacids

  • Medicines that have iron, zinc, calcium or aluminium

• If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double your dose or use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Side Effects, Precautions, Contraindication

What are the possible side effects of the medicine?

You may experience:

• Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite

• Minor taste disturbances: You can take small frequent meals or suck lozenges to help lessen these symptoms.

• Increased sensitivity to sunlight: Use sunblock, wear protective clothing and avoid going out into the sun too much when you are on these medicines.

Some other common side-effects include indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache and dizziness.

Stop the medicine and see the doctor immediately if you develop any joint or tendon pain or swelling or severe and bloody diarrhoea. You should also quickly seek help from a doctor if you develop chest pain or heart palpitations.

How do I know if I am allergic to this medicine?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips

• Difficulty in breathing

• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medicine immediately and see your doctor.

What precautions should I follow when taking the medicine?

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if:

• You have any other medical conditions such as:

  • Fits

  • G6PD Deficiency

  • Myasthenia Gravis (a type of illness characterised by muscle weakness)

• You are already taking some other medicines such as:

  • Painkillers e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

  • Theophylline

  • Cyclosporine

  • Probenecid

  • Anticoagulants e.g. Warfarin

  • Herbal preparations, nutritional products or vitamin supplements

• You are breastfeeding, pregnant or likely to become pregnant during the course of this treatment.

• You have existing heart problems or are on any medicine that regulates your heart rate and rhythm.

Handling and Storage

• Keep your medicines in the original container or packaging, tightly closed or sealed in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.

• Keep the medicine out of reach of children.

• Throw away all expired medicines.

This article answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It also does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

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