Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ciprofloxacin; other quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as cinoxacin (Cinobac), enoxacin (Penetrex), gatifloxacin (Tequin), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin and alatrofloxacin combination (Trovan); or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetazolamide (Diamox); anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin); brinzolamide (Azopt); cancer chemotherapy medications; chloroquine (Aralen); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), dichlorphenamide (Daranide); dorzolamide (Cosopt, Trusopt); glyburide (DiaBeta, Glycron, Glynase, Micronase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for depression , pain, or mental illness; medications for diarrhea, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), diphenoxylate (Lomotil), and loperamide (Imodium); medications that contain caffeine (NoDoz, Vivarin, others); methazolamide (GlaucTabs, Nepatazane); methocarbamol (Robaxin); metoclopramide (Reglan); methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall); mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept); neostigmine (Prostigmin); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); other antibiotics; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); physostigmine (Antilirium); potassium citrate and citric acid (Cytra-K, Polycitra-K); probenecid (Benemid); pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol); pyrimethamine (Daraprim); sedatives and sleeping pills; sodium bicarbonate (Soda Mint, baking soda); sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra, Oracit); theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur, Slo-bid, others); or tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. if you are taking antacids (Maalox, Mylanta); didanosine (Videx) chewable tablets or solution (liquid); calcium, iron, zinc or vitamin supplements; or sucralfate (Carafate), take them 6 hours before or 2 hours after ciprofloxacin. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had arthritis; dementia (memory loss and personality changes); depression; mental illness; diarrhea during or after antibiotic therapy; recent head injury; seizures; stroke or mini-stroke; or kidney or liver disease. you should know that ciprofloxacin and other similar antibiotics have caused serious and occasionally fatal allergic reactions in some patients. If you develop hives; difficulty breathing or swallowing; rapid, irregular or pounding heartbeat; fainting; dizziness; blurred vision, or other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency medical care right away. If you develop a skin rash, stop taking gemifloxacin and call your doctor. Call your doctor if you experience other signs of an allergic reaction such as itching; tingling; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; fever; hoarseness; joint or muscle pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; extreme tiredness; lack of energy; loss of appetite; pain in the upper right part of the stomach; yellowing of the skin or eyes; flu- like symptoms; or upset stomach. tell your doctor if you have ever had tendonitis (swelling or tearing of the fiber that connects a bone to a muscle) and if you participate in regular athletic activity. If you experience symptoms of tendonitis, such as pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle, stop taking ciprofloxacin, rest, and call your doctor immediately. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ciprofloxacin, call your doctor. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ciprofloxacin. you should know that ciprofloxacin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (tanning beds) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Ciprofloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. you should know that ciprofloxacin may cause diarrhea during or after your treatment. You should not treat this diarrhea with over the counter medications. Instead, call your doctor to find out what to do. |