Cipro is the brand name of a drug called ciprofloxacin that belongs to a class of drugs known as fluoroquinolones. It is used to treat a wide variety of infections including urinary tract infections and some infections that affect the upper respiratory tract.
Can I take Cipro?
If you have a chronic medical condition or you take certain kinds of drugs, you may not be able to take Cipro because of potential interactions or the possibility that you will aggravate your medical condition. Tell your doctor if you have medical conditions such as diabetes, joint problems, epilepsy, low blood potassium levels, kidney or liver disease, or myasthenia gravis. You should also alert your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.
Drugs that have the potential to interact with Cipro include quinidine, disopyramide, bretylium, procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications so that potential interactions can be avoided. You should not take Cipro if you are taking Zanaflex or if you have had an allergic reaction to antibiotics similar to Cipro.
What bacteria does Cipro kill?
Cipro is an effective drug that is used to treat many types of infections. You may be asking yourself, what bacteria does Cipro kill? The answer to this question is that Cipro kills both gram positive and gram negative types of bacteria. It does this by breaking down essential proteins that the bacteria need to survive.
Side Effects of Cipro
Cipro can cause a number of side effects that range in severity from mild discomfort to severe allergic effects. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop hives or swelling or have difficulty breathing. If you experience side effects such as dizziness, sudden pain or swelling near the joints, watery diarrhea, confusion, seizures, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual pain or tingling, or a skin rash, discontinue Cipro and call your doctor.
Less serious side effects may occur and cause mild irritation or discomfort. These side effects include nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, anxiety, vomiting, insomnia, or increased sun sensitivity. Unless your doctor directs you to stop taking the medicine, you should continue taking Cipro until the entire course of the drug has been completed.
Potential Interactions
You should tell your doctor if you are taking the following drugs, since they can interact with Cipro: insulin, blood thinners, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral steroids, cyclosporine, clozapine, methotrexate, ropinirole, tacrine, theophylline, phenytoin, or metoclopramide. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different antibiotic to prevent issues with ciprofloxacin.
