Cipro Side Effects
What Are Fluoroquinolones?
These antibiotics treat or prevent certain bacterial infections. You’re more likely to know them by their generic or brand names:
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Ciprofloxacin extended-release (Cipro XR)
- Gemifloxacin (Factive)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
- Ofloxacin (Floxin)
Doctors prescribe these often, but they can cause serious side effects. You should know what to look for when taking them.
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Common Side Effects
Some people who took fluoroquinolones reported:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Trouble sleeping
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Serious Physical Side Effects
There is a chance that your body will respond to these antibiotics with more severe reactions, including:
- Tendinitis
- Tendon rupture
- Numbness or tingling, “pins and needles” in arms and legs
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Irregular heartbeat
- Ringing or buzzing in ears
- Vision problems
- Skin rash
- Skin sensitivity to sunlight
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Serious Mental Side Effects
Some people have reported emotional and psychological reactions while taking these drugs, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
- Confusion
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When to Look for Changes
Serious side effects can start after the first or second dose.
Most people who reported them had one or more of these:
- Long-term pain
- Problems with tendons, muscles, and joints, including swelling, pain, and tendon rupture
- Symptoms that lasted longer than a year, which means they may be permanent
These side effects led to changes in quality of life such as job loss, financial problems, and increased family tension.
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Boxed Warning on Medication Label
The FDA put its strongest warning on the drug packaging.
You should know:
- Fluoroquinolones carry a higher chance of tendinitis and tendon rupture.
- It's greater for those over 60; in kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients; and those taking steroid medications.
- Stop taking the fluoroquinolone at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation. Avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and immediately ask your doctor to switch to a non-fluoroquinolone drug.
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Look for the Medication Guide
Your prescription will come with FDA-approved information to help you avoid serious side effects.
Here’s part of the guide:
CIPRO ® (Sip-row) (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) Tablets for oral use
Read this Medication Guide before you start taking CIPRO and each time you get a refill.
There may be new information. This guide does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider.
What is the most important information I should know about CIPRO?
- CIPRO, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine, can cause serious side effects.
- Some of these serious side effects can happen at the same time and could result in death.
If you get any of the following serious side effects while you take CIPRO, you should stop taking CIPRO immediately and get medical help right away.
- Joint pain, swelling, popping sounds, or muscle weakness
- Tingling and possible nerve damage
- Anxiety, depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, confusion
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Benefits vs. Risks
For some types of sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and urinary tract infections, the risks of fluoroquinolone drugs are greater than the benefits for most people.
For some serious infections, like pneumonia or infections inside the abdomen, the benefits of fluoroquinolone drugs outweigh the risks.
Your health care provider can talk to you about your best choice.
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What Do You Need to Do?
Before you take a fluoroquinolone, read the entire Medication Guide to understand warnings and side effects.
Stop taking Cipro and contact your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects after starting treatment, such as:
- Unusual joint or tendon pain
- Muscle weakness
- A tingling or burning sensation
- Arm or leg numbness
- Confusion and hallucinations
Report any side effects to your health care professional and the FDA MedWatch program.
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FDA MedWatch Program
You can report a bad side effect to the FDA in these ways:
- Report online .
- Use Consumer Reporting Form FDA 3500B. Follow the instructions, and fax or mail it in. For help filling out the form, see MedWatchLearn.
- Call the FDA at 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088) to report by telephone.
- Health care professionals, use Reporting Form FDA 3500 and these instructions.
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