Cipro (ciprofloxacin)

Cipro (ciprofloxacin)

Cipro (ciprofloxacin)

is cipro the same as cephalexin

Cipro can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Cipro. This list does not include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Cipro, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of Cipro include:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • upset stomach
  • dizziness
  • rash

Also, results from a liver function test can be higher than normal. This is usually temporary, but can also be a sign of liver damage.

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

This is not common, but in some cases, Cipro can cause more serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • Tearing or swelling in a tendon (tissue that connects muscle to bone). Symptoms can include:
    • pain or swelling in the tendon by the heel of the foot, ankle, knee, hand or thumb, shoulder, or elbow
  • Liver damage. Symptoms can include:
    • stomach pain
    • loss of appetite
    • dark-colored urine
    • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
  • Severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
    • severe rash or hives
    • trouble breathing or swallowing
    • swelling of your lips, tongue, or face
    • rapid heartbeat
  • Mood changes. Symptoms can include:
    • anxiety
    • depression
    • restlessness
    • trouble sleeping
    • hallucinations
    • suicidal thoughts
  • Seizures, tremors, or convulsions
  • C. difficile infection (an intestinal infection that can be life threatening). Symptoms can include:
    • severe diarrhea
    • bloody stool
    • stomach cramps
    • fever
  • Nerve problems in your arms, legs, feet, or hands. Symptoms can include:
    • pain
    • burning
    • tingling
    • numbness
    • weakness
  • Severe sunburn due to skin sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light
  • Dangerously low blood sugar. This is more likely to happen in people ages 65 years and older and those with diabetes. Symptoms can include:
    • dizziness
    • confusion
    • shakiness
    • sweating
    • weakness
    • passing out
    • coma
  • Aortic aneurysm (bulging due to weakness in the aorta) or aortic dissection (a tear in the aorta), in people ages 65 years or older. Symptoms can include:
    • sudden, severe pain in the stomach, chest, or back
    • trouble speaking or walking
    • shortness of breath

Due to these safety concerns, the FDA has recommended that drugs such as Cipro should not be used as a first-choice antibiotic for sinus infections, bronchitis, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). For these conditions, the potential risks of treatment with Cipro outweigh the benefits.

Other antibiotics should be used as a first choice.

Long-term side effects

Most Cipro side effects occur soon after the medication is taken. However, taking Cipro long-term may increase the risk of experiencing severe side effects. These long-term side effects can include tendon damage, liver damage, intestinal infection, and nerve problems.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics, including Cipro. About 2 to 5 percent of people who take Cipro have diarrhea.

Sometimes diarrhea can become severe with loose, watery stools, bloody stools, stomach cramps, and fever. In some cases, this may occur due to a C. difficile infection, which is caused by an imbalance of gut bacteria. This can be life threatening.

If you have severe diarrhea while taking Cipro, talk with your doctor right away. They may recommend treatment for it. In most cases, diarrhea typically goes away shortly after you stop taking Cipro.

Headache

Some people who take Cipro get headaches. In clinical studies, less than 1 percent of people had headaches while taking Cipro. These headaches are usually mild and may go away with continued use of the drug. If you get a headache that doesn’t go away while you’re taking Cipro, talk with your doctor.

Yeast infection

Vaginal yeast infections can sometimes occur after treatment with antibiotics, including Cipro. If you’ve never had a yeast infection before and think you might have one, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.

Side effects in children

Cipro use is typically avoided in children because it might cause joint damage in children. Symptoms of joint damage in children can include reduced joint movement and joint pain. If your child is taking Cipro and has these symptoms, call their doctor right away.

Side effects in older adults

People ages 65 years and older are more likely than younger adults to have side effects from Cipro. However, the types of side effects they have are the same as those in younger adults, with one exception.

Adults ages 65 years or older have a risk of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection with Cipro. Aortic aneurysm refers to bulging due to weakness in the aorta. This is the major blood vessel that transports blood out of your heart to the rest of your body. Aortic dissection is a tear in the aorta.

Symptoms of these conditions can include:

  • sudden, severe pain in the stomach, chest, or back
  • trouble speaking or walking
  • shortness of breath

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your risk of side effects with Cipro.

This post was last modified on November 24, 2024 1:36 pm