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Ciprofloxacin

Brand names: Cipro

Ciprofloxacin is a strong antibiotic for some urinary, kidney, bone, and gut infections. It's saved for cases where safer antibiotics won't work.

Brand namesCipro
Type of medicineFluoroquinolone antibiotic
Prescription?Prescription
ImportantThis page is general information, not a prescription. Don't start, stop, or change a medicine without talking to your provider or pharmacist.

Overview

It belongs to the fluoroquinolone family, which has serious warnings.

What it's used for

  • Kidney infections and complicated urinary tract infections
  • Some gut infections, like traveler's diarrhea
  • Bone and joint infections
  • Anthrax and plague exposure

How to take it

  • Take it with water, with or without food, but not with dairy or calcium-fortified juice alone.
  • Take it 2 hours before or 6 hours after antacids, iron, zinc, calcium, or multivitamins.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and finish the full course.

Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

Side effects

Common side effects

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
Call 911Sudden chest, back, or belly pain (possible tear in the main artery)
Call your provider todayPain, swelling, or a pop in a tendon, especially the back of the ankle. Stop and rest it.
Call your provider todayNumbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in arms or legs
Call your provider todayConfusion, anxiety, or mood changes
Call your provider todaySevere watery or bloody diarrhea, even weeks after finishing (possible C. diff infection)
Call 911Swelling of the face, lips, or throat, hives, or trouble breathing

Warnings

  • Boxed warnings: tendon rupture, nerve damage, mental health effects, and worse muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis.
  • Tendon problems are more likely after age 60, with steroids, or after a transplant.
  • It can cause very low or high blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Other medicines, foods, and alcohol

  • Antacids, iron, zinc, calcium, and dairy block absorption.
  • Tizanidine must not be taken with it.
  • It raises levels of caffeine, theophylline, and warfarin's effect.
  • Steroids raise the risk of tendon rupture.

Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Usually avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding unless no other option works.

Missed doses, overdose, and storage

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Don't double up, and still finish the full course.

If someone takes too much

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.

Storing it

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children and pets.

Conditions it's used for

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.