Monthly Archives: April 2012

Know the facts about Cipro Side Effects

Ciprofloxacin, also known as Cipro is one of the well known drugs that belong to the fluoroquinolone group of antibacterials. There are said to destroy the bacterial cells by unwinding their DNA and thus interferes with cell replication by inhibiting the synthesis of the DNA and the protein. Despite the various black box warnings given by the FDA, the drug isone of the most common in use and thus helps in the treatment of many bacterial infections.

Cipro side effects

Cipro side effects range from mild to severe forms. There are many warnings that have been published in favor of this drug and there are warning labels that are in use. Some of the most noteworthy side effects include peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves), damage to the tendons, problems associated with the heart, colitis, breakdown of the muscles, and more. Usually individuals may experience mild to moderate reactions and despite the constant harp on the effects of this drug and the implications it might cause, it has become an apparent solution to many of the severe bacterial infections that are life threatening.

It is well known that the children and elderly adults are at a much higher risk of developing Cipro side effects and the various adverse reactions that are associated with it. There are other forms such as the tendon damage that are associated with the continued usage of drug in the long run, and continue to manifest despite the drug being discontinued. Visual complications have also been reported to occur with the fluoroquinolone therapy, leading to problems such as the corneal perforation, enucleation, evisceration and more. Double vision, such as Diplopa is also known to occur and seizures have been noticed with the usage of Cipro ear drops in an adult.

Cpirofloxacin along with theophylline are said to increase the levels of toxicity in the blood and thus used in the treatment of asthma. In worse cases, it could also lead to the development of seizures and irregularities in the heart rhythm. It may lead to elevation levels of blood thinning, caused due to the anti coagulant warfarin and thus many iron acids and salts are believed to reduce the Cipro side effects in the body. It is also said that orange juice and milk tend to reduce the effects and the absorption of the drug in the body and thus, administration of the drug is performed two hours before taking consuming milk or orange juice.

The varied Cipro side effects

As with many other drugs, there are Cipro side effects that have been observed and identified, especially with long terms of usage. Although this drug has been black box categorized by the FDA, there are warning labels that are issued to the public as it may lead to irreversible damage of the nerves, damage to the heart, damage to the tendons, muscles and more. It is also believed to cause diarrhea that is associated with the antibiotics and thus may lead to the development of a life threatening situation such as cell death, which leads to the separation of the epidermis from the dermis layer of the skin.

 Cipro side effects

Cipro side effects are many and thus, it is wise to read up the medication guide before going ahead with the consumption. It could be the first time that you are buying the drug or maybe even a refill, however, you should know that the drug is extremely sensitive and thus you should be checking upon your levels of sensitivity to Cipro by your doctor every now and then. It is recommended to consume this drug after the consumption of meals however, it depends on the discretion of the physician and the levels and the dosage of the drug that is required.

If combined with other drugs, consult with your physician and it is usually recommended that the drug be consume with a gap of two to six hours prior or after the consumption of the other drug. It is best to consult with your physician to know the other types of contraindications that could persist with the continuous consumption of this drug and thus you can avoid the Cipro side effects manifesting out to a certain extent.

Usually it is recommended that you inquire with the doctor regarding the diet that should be consumed when under a Cipro prescription. Remember that antibiotics such as the Cipro tend to work best when maintained at the optimum levels in the body and bear in mind the medication that is required to maintain this drug at a balanced state. Do not discontinue your medication although the symptoms might disappear as the entire process of recovery takes quite some time. It is best advised to consult with your doctor once the symptoms disappear to switch over to the correct dosage, as constant application and consumption of antibiotics lead to the complete eradication of bacterial growth and ensures that re-growth does not occur at any instance.