Ciprofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. Ciprofloxacin is also used to treat people exposed to anthrax germs in the air and various sexually transmitted diseases and infections such as Legionnaire disease), cat scratch disease (an infection that may develop after a patient is bitten or scratched by a cat) and brucellosis (a type of infection that causes a rising and falling fever and other symptoms).

Ciprofloxacin may be used to treat patients with cystic fibrosis who have lung infections. Ciprofloxacin is sometimes used with another medication to treat certain infections of the internal organs. Ciprofloxacin may be used to treat and prevent dangerous illnesses that are deliberately spread such as plague and tularemia. Ciprofloxacin may also be used to reduce the amount of certain types of bacteria in the nose to prevent serious illness. Ciprofloxacin may be used with another medication to treat disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) (a type of lung disease that often affects people with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) and tuberculosis (TB) (a type of lung infection).

Ciprofloxacin tablets and suspension (liquid) are used to treat pneumonia (lung infection); bronchitis (infection of the tubes that lead to the lungs); some types of gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease); diarrhea caused by bacteria; typhoid fever (a contagious illness common in developing countries) and bone, joint, skin, prostate (a male reproductive gland), sinus and urinary tract (bladder) infections. Ciprofloxacin extended release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat urinary tract and kidney infections.

Ciprofloxacin is available as a tablet, a suspension (liquid) and an extended release (long-acting) tablet by mouth with or without food. The tablet and suspension are usually taken (twice a day. The extended release tablets are usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take Ciprofloxacin, take it around the same time(s) everyday. If you are taking the tablets or extended release tablets, swallow them with a full glass of water. Swallow the extended release tablets intact, do not split, crush or chew them. If you are taking the liquid, shake the bottle for 15 seconds before each use to mix the medication evenly. Swallow the correct dose without chewing the granules in the liquid. Do not give the liquid to a patient through a feeding tube. Do not take Ciprofloxacin with dairy products (like milk or yogurt) or calcium-added juices alone. You may take Ciprofloxacin with a meal that includes these foods. Drink at least eight full glasses of water or liquid everyday. Do not drink or eat many caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea or chocolate.Take Ciprofloxacin exactly as directed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have. Your doctor will decide how long you need to take Ciprofloxacin. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You should begin feeling better during the first few days of treatment with Ciprofloxacin. Take Ciprofloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking Ciprofloxacin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely cured and bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Use of this medicine is not recommended in infants and children up to 2 years of age (ophthalmic ointment) and 1 year of age (ophthalmic solution).

There is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic Ciprofloxacin in the elderly with use in other age groups. In children older than 1 or 2 years of age, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Consult your doctor about the possible side effects of using this drug for your condition. Ciprofloxacin increases nervousness, sleeplessness, heart pounding, and anxiety caused by caffeine. Your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

Do not take ciprofloxacin with dairy products (like milk or yogurt) or calcium-added juices alone. You may take ciprofloxacin with a meal that includes these foods. Drink at least eight full glasses of water or liquid every day. Do not drink or eat a lot of caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea, cola, or chocolate. Ciprofloxacin increases nervousness, sleeplessness, heart pounding, and anxiety caused by caffeine.

If you are taking Ciprofloxacin tablets or suspension, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are taking Ciprofloxacin extended release tablets and forget to take your dose at the usual time, you may take the dose later in the day. However, do not take more than one Ciprofloxacin extended release tablet in one day, even if you missed a dose.

It is most commonly used to treat infections of the skin, sinuses, bone, lung, ear, abdomen, and bladder. It can also be used to treat some sexually transmitted infections, some forms of infectious diarrhea, and typhoid fever.

Ciprofloxacin should be stored in the container it came in. Make sure that the container remains tightly closed and out of reach of children when not in use. Ciprofloxacin should be stored at room temperature and away from places like bathroom where it could experience excess heat and moisture. Store the suspension in the refrigerator or at room temperature, closed tightly, for up to 14 days. Throw away any liquid that is left over after 14 days. When the medicine is not in use or outdated, it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ophthalmic or systemic Ciprofloxacin (e.g., Cipro) or any related medicines, such as cinoxacin (e.g., Cinobac), norfloxacin (e.g., Chibroxin or Noroxin), ofloxacin (e.g., Floxin), or nalidixic acid (e.g., NegGram). Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

If you become pregnant while taking Ciprofloxacin, call your doctor immediately. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding inform you doctor. Ciprofloxacin have not seen causing birth defects. It is not known whether ophthalmic ciprofloxin passes into breast milk. However, Ciprofloxacin given by mouth does pass into breast milk. Mothers who are using this medicine while breast-feeding should discuss this with their doctor.

Use is not recommended in infants and children up to 2 years of age (ophthalmic ointment) and 1 year of age (ophthalmic solution).


Tell your doctor, if you using any other prescription or non-prescription medicine that is to be used in the eye. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.