Cipro (ciprofloxacin)

Information about Generic Cipro

Generic Cipro is used for treating bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure. Generic Cipro is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to kill sensitive bacteria. It works by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

How to use Generic Cipro :

Use Generic Cipro as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Generic Cipro by mouth with or without food. The preferred dosing time is 2 hours after a meal.
• Take Generic Cipro with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Drink several extra glasses of water a day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• If you also take any products containing magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, or zinc (eg, vitamins/minerals, antacids, quinapril); didanosine; sucralfate; or bismuth subsalicylate, do not take them within 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking Generic Cipro. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• If you also take sevelamer, do not take it within 4 hours before or after taking Generic Cipro. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• Generic Cipro works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Generic Cipro for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• Avoid taking Generic Cipro with milk or milk products (such as yogurt or calcium-enriched juice) by themselves. However, taking Generic Cipro as part of a full meal that contains milk or milk products is permitted.
• Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Generic Cipro, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you may have about how to use Generic Cipro.

Do not use Generic Cipro if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Generic Cipro or to other fluoroquinolones (eg, levofloxacin)
• you have recently received a live, oral typhoid vaccination or you are taking cisapride or tizanidine

Contact your doctor right away if any of these apply to you.

Before taking Generic Cipro :

Some medical conditions may interact with Generic Cipro. Tell your pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are breast-feeding, planning to become pregnant, or are pregnant
• if you are taking any herbal preparation, dietary supplement, prescription or nonprescription medicines
• if you have allergies to medicines, or foods
• if you have Alzheimer disease, a brain or nervous system disorder, a problem with the blood vessels in your brain, diarrhea, a stomach infection, liver problems, kidney problems, increased pressure in your brain, seizures, inflammation of your tendons, joint problems, or a skin sensitivity to the sun

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Generic Cipro. Tell your pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines. Ask your pharmacist if Generic Cipro may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Generic Cipro may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Generic Cipro with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Be sure to use Generic Cipro for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Generic Cipro may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Generic Cipro only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Avoid large amounts of food or drink that have caffeine (eg, coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, chocolate).
• Rest and avoid exercise until further instruction from your doctor if you experience pain or swelling of a tendon.
• Diabetes patients - Generic Cipro may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Generic Cipro may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Generic Cipro. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Lab tests may be performed while you use Generic Cipro. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Generic Cipro with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially tendon problems.
• Caution is advised when using Generic Cipro in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially joint and tendon problems.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Generic Cipro while you are pregnant. Generic Cipro is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Generic Cipro.

Possible side effects of Generic Cipro:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Anxiety; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nightmares; rash; restlessness; stomach upset; vision changes; vomiting.