Cipro is used for:
Treating bacterial infections. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.

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.

Do NOT use Cipro if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in 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 or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cipro:
Some medical conditions may interact with Cipro . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
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 Cipro . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Cisapride because the risk of serious side effects, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
Arsenic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or probenecid because side effects, such as seizures, may occur
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), arsenic, cyclosporine, methadone, methotrexate, sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), theophyllines, tizanidine, or xanthines (eg, theophylline) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) or live, oral typhoid vaccine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Cipro

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cipro may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cipro :
Use Cipro as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Cipro by mouth with or without food. The preferred dosing time is 2 hours after a meal.
Take 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 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 Cipro . Check with your doctor if you have questions.
Cipro works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
To clear up your infection completely, take Cipro for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
Avoid taking Cipro with milk or milk products (such as yogurt or calcium-enriched juice) by themselves. However, taking 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 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 health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cipro .

Important safety information:
Cipro may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cipro with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Be sure to use 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 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.
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 - Cipro may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Cipro may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to 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 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 Cipro with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially tendon problems.
Caution is advised when using 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 Cipro while you are pregnant. Cipro is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cipro .

Possible side effects of 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.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; bizarre behavior; bloody stools; chest pain; convulsions; dark urine (or unusual change in amount of urine); depression; dizziness; easy bruising or bleeding; fever; hallucinations; increased pressure within the head; inflammation, pain, or rupture of a tendon; irregular heartbeat; joint pain or swelling; loss of appetite; loss of consciousness; mental changes; nervousness; oral thrush; pain; pale stools; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or continuing diarrhea; sleeplessness; stomach cramps/pain; suicidal thoughts; sun sensitivity (sunburn easily); tingling or weakness of arms and legs; tremors; unusual fatigue; vaginal yeast infection; yellowing of the skin or eyes.