Ciprofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, nerve damage, serious mood or behavior changes, or low blood sugar.
Stop using ciprofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have: headache, hunger, irritability, numbness, tingling, burning pain, confusion, agitation, paranoia, problems with memory or concentration, thoughts of suicide, or sudden pain or movement problems in any of your joints.
In rare cases, ciprofloxacin may cause damage to your aorta, which could lead to dangerous bleeding or death. Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.
You may not be able to use this medicine if you have a muscle disorder. Tell your doctor if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use ciprofloxacin if you are allergic to it, or if:
you also take tizanidine; or
you are allergic to other fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin).
Ciprofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. This can happen during treatment or several months after you stop taking ciprofloxacin. Tendon problems may be more likely in children and older adults, or people who use steroid medicine or have had an organ transplant.
To make sure ciprofloxacin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
arthritis or problems with your tendons, bones or joints (especially in children);
diabetes, low blood sugar;
nerve problems;
an aneurysm or blood circulation problems;
heart problems, or a heart attack;
muscle weakness, myasthenia gravis;
liver or kidney disease;
a seizure, head injury, or brain tumor;
trouble swallowing pills;
long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while taking ciprofloxacin and for 2 days after your last dose. Ask your doctor about breastfeeding if you take this medicine for anthrax exposure.
