Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It can treat many types of bacterial infections, including sinus infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). But because ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can cause serious side effects, such as tendon rupture and nerve damage, it's usually only prescribed for more serious infections or when there aren't any safer options. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is taken by mouth, typically twice daily. It's available as a pill and oral solution. Some of the more common side effects of this medication include nausea and diarrhea.
Adults only
Adults and children
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone") antibiotic. It works by blocking certain enzymes (proteins) that bacteria use to grow and repair their genetic material (DNA) in order to survive. By blocking this process, the antibiotic kills bacteria.
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Rare
Bloody or black, tarry stools
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
changes in skin color
changes in urination
chest pain or discomfort
chest tightness or heaviness
chills
clumsiness or unsteadiness
confusion
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
coughing or spitting up blood
dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
headache, severe and throbbing
hearing loss
hives or welts, skin rash
joint stiffness
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
light-colored stools
muscle pain or stiffness
nightmares
numbness of the hands
pain in the joints
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
pounding in the ears
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
seizures
severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
vomiting
white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
bone pain
diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
difficulty with breathing, chewing, or talking
double vision
excessive muscle tone
feeling of discomfort
feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
increased sensitivity to pain or touch
irregular or slow heart rate
loss of sense of smell
mood changes
nosebleeds
rapid heart rate
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
sensation of skin burning
severe sunburn
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
uncontrolled eye movements
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
vaginal yeast infection
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More tips for the oral suspension (liquid)
How long it takes for ciprofloxacin (Cipro) to work can differ for each person depending on what type of infection you have and how serious it is. In general, people who take antibiotics typically begin to feel better within 1 to 3 days after starting treatment. But even if you feel better, it's important to finish the full course of ciprofloxacin (Cipro). If you stop ciprofloxacin (Cipro) too early, your infection might come back and become more challenging to treat.
Your primary care provider (PCP) will let you know how long to take ciprofloxacin (Cipro) to treat an urinary tract infection (UTI). The length of treatment for an UTI depends on different factors, such as what symptoms you have and whether you're at higher risk for any complications. If you have an uncomplicated UTI, your PCP will likely only prescribe ciprofloxacin (Cipro) for 3 days. But if you have a complicated UTI, your PCP might ask you to take ciprofloxacin (Cipro) for 1 to 2 weeks. Ask your healthcare team if you've more questions about treating UTIs.
No, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone") antibiotic, whereas penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic. While the medications can be used to treat similar infections, they work differently to get rid of bacteria. Your healthcare professional (HCP) might consider ciprofloxacin (Cipro) as an option if you're allergic to penicillin and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is able to treat your infection.
No. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) isn't a sulfa drug; it's a quinolone antibiotic. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction if you have a sulfa allergy.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can interact with several medications. You might not need to avoid these medications completely while you're taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro). But your primary care provider (PCP) might adjust the dose of your medications, change the timing of when you take certain medications, or monitor you more closely for side effects. For example, certain supplements, like calcium or iron, can prevent your body from fully absorbing ciprofloxacin (Cipro). This means ciprofloxacin (Cipro) won't work as well in treating your infection. If you need to take one of these supplements, your PCP will recommend that you take ciprofloxacin (Cipro) at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take the supplements. Make sure to tell your HCP and pharmacist about all of the medications you're taking so they can help you check for interactions.
Ask your primary care provider what pain reliever you might be able to take with ciprofloxacin (Cipro). This can depend on what other medical conditions you have and your dose of ciprofloxacin (Cipro). For example, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) isn't known to interact with acetaminophen (Tylenol). You might be able to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with ciprofloxacin (Cipro) if you don't have liver problems. But there have been rare reports of people experiencing seizures after taking higher doses of ciprofloxacin (Cipro) with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Your PCP might ask you to avoid taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), if you're at higher risk for seizures.
How long side effects of ciprofloxacin (Cipro) lasts can differ depending on what symptoms you're experiencing. For example, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) commonly causes nausea throughout treatment. But your healthcare team can recommend ways to ease this side effect, like taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro) with a meal or snack. Other side effects are more rare, such as pain and swelling in the tendons. While you're unlikely to experience this side effect during treatment, you're at risk for this problem even months after you stop ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Your care team might also ask you to pause certain activities, like running or jumping, for a few months after you end treatment. But if you do experience tendon pain, you need to get medical help right away. If you have a question about a specific ciprofloxacin (Cipro) side effect, talk with your care team.
No, feeling tired wasn't a reported side effect from people taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro) during clinical trials. But feeling tired might be a symptom of your infection. Contact your care team if you feel more tired than usual, especially if your tiredness doesn't get better with time; they can try to identify what might be causing it.
Yes, diarrhea is a possible side effect of ciprofloxacin (Cipro), just like most antibiotics. If you experience diarrhea, you can try following the BRAT diet for a short while to help with your stomach upset. Also, ask your prescriber if it's safe for you to take over-the-counter diarrhea medications. But call your HCP right away if you start having watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime during treatment or after stopping ciprofloxacin (Cipro). These could be signs of serious infectious diarrhea called C. diff diarrhea that requires treatment.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can raise your risk of inflammation in the tendon (tendonitis) or tearing of the tendon. This most often happens at the Achilles tendon, which is above your heel. But it can affect other tendons throughout your body too (e.g., shoulder, hand). Tendon damage can happen at any time after you start ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or up to several months after stopping the medication. If you experience pain or swelling in your joints or muscles, stop taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and contact your prescriber right away.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can raise your risk of seizures, dizziness, and tremors. This medication can also put you at risk for nerve damage that can happen shortly after starting treatment. Nerve damage can feel like pain, numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, and changes in sensations related to touch or temperature.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can also raise your risk of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, aggressive behavior, psychosis, nervousness, trouble sleeping, and confusion. These changes in behavior or thoughts can happen even after just one dose of medication. If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical help right away or contact your HCP. They can help manage your treatment.
If you have myasthenia gravis, taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can worsen symptoms like muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. Ask your prescriber about using a different antibiotic if you have myasthenia gravis.
Severe allergic reactions to ciprofloxacin (Cipro) are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). If you notice hives, rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro), get medical attention right away.
Additionally, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can cause rare but serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). If you notice changes in your skin, such as rash, blisters, or skin reddening or peeling, stop using ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and get medical attention as soon as possible.
Some people taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro) have had serious liver problems that can possibly lead to liver failure. Get medical attention if you notice stomach bloating or pain, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, stool changes (black, tarry, or bloody stools), or dark or brown urine. You might need to stop using the antibiotic to prevent further liver damage.
In studies, there was a higher rate of severe damage to the aorta within 2 months of finishing ciprofloxacin (Cipro) treatment, especially in older adults. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, and it delivers blood to the rest of your body. Damage to the aorta, such as weakening and tearing, can be severe and life-threatening. Talk with your HCP if you have a history of an aortic aneurysm since ciprofloxacin (Cipro) might not be the best medication for you. If you experience sudden pain in the chest, back, or stomach that's severe and doesn't go away, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This infection can cause severe diarrhea. Antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can cause C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection. It's important to recognize the difference between diarrhea as a side effect of ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and this type of infectious diarrhea. C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day) and is an emergency. If you have any of these symptoms, get medical attention immediately so you can get tested for C. diff infection and receive treatment.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can affect your heart rhythm, which can be serious and life-threatening. One example includes lengthening the time it takes for your heart to pump and then relax. This is known as QT prolongation. Your risk for QT prolongation is higher if you have certain factors, including abnormal electrolyte levels, heart rhythm problems, or are taking other medications that cause heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone (Pacerone), among others. If you feel your chest pounding, have shortness of breath or chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro), call 911 right away.
In studies, some children taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro) had problems in their muscles, bones, or joints. Because of this risk, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) should only be used in children if other antibiotics can't be used. Your child's pediatrician will decide whether ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is an appropriate antibiotic for your child.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) makes your skin more sensitive to the sun or ultraviolet (UV) light. This means you can get sunburns more easily than usual. This can happen even during the winter and on overcast days. To lower your risk, make sure to wear sunscreen when going outside and wear long-sleeved clothing to protect your skin. Also avoid being exposed to light or sun for a long time.
Very rarely, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can cause kidney problems. Make sure to stay hydrated while taking this antibiotic. Let your HCP know if you have any lower back pain; difficulty urinating; or swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands. These could be signs of kidney problems caused by ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
Your healthcare team will determine your dose of ciprofloxacin (Cipro) based different factors, such as the type of infection you have and how serious it is.
General dosing for ciprofloxacin (Cipro) tablets and oral solution:
Your dose might differ if you have kidney or liver problems.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is also available as an injection through the veins that's given by a healthcare professional in the hospital setting.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) will not be safe for you to take.