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What Are the Pros and Cons of Taking Ciprofloxacin?

Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat severe infections and anthrax. Taking ciprofloxacin can lead to a variety of health complications, so it should only be used when there is no alternative treatment. It is an effective medicine, however, and is a valuable resource in treating stubborn infections, and especially people who have been exposed to anthrax. Past medical history and current health should be taken into consideration before taking ciprofloxacin. The extensive list of potential side effects is the main con of taking ciprofloxacin, while the pro is its effectiveness.

The drug, ciprofloxacin, gained popularity because it is an effective treatment for anthrax. Anyone who has possibly been exposed to anthrax can be treated with ciprofloxacin as a preventative measure. It can also treat existing cases of anthrax, although early treatment is more effective.

Ciprofloxacin can be used to treat throat infections in children.
Ciprofloxacin can be used to treat throat infections in children.

In addition to taking ciprofloxacin for anthrax, it is also prescribed for urinary tract, lower respiratory, skin, bone, and joint infections, and acute cases of sinusitis that are resistant to less powerful antibiotics. It is not typically prescribed for children, because it may cause problems in developing joints and bones, but may be sometimes recommended in cases of anthrax exposure or severe infection.

Ciprofloxacin comes with an increased risk of tendonitis, which may require physical therapy.
Ciprofloxacin comes with an increased risk of tendonitis, which may require physical therapy.

The reason that ciprofloxacin is prescribed so cautiously is because it has a long list of side effects. For individuals with myasthenia gravis, a condition of the nervous system, ciprofloxacin can cause severe muscle weakness and breathing difficulties, as well as death. Otherwise healthy individuals are also at risk from taking ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin increases the risk of tendon ruptures and tendinitis, both during and for several months after treatment. While anyone is at risk while taking ciprofloxacin, individuals over the age of 60, those who have rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, or have had an organ transplant have an elevated risk.

Ciprofloxacin is prescribed cautiously because it has a long list of side effects, especially for people over the age of 60.
Ciprofloxacin is prescribed cautiously because it has a long list of side effects, especially for people over the age of 60.

Other prescription and over the counter medications can interact with ciprofloxacin, as can some common supplements. Individuals may need the timing or dosages of their medications adjusted if they take multivitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen. The same is true of anyone who uses diuretics, some antacids, caffeine, medicine for irregular heartbeat, or antidepressants.

Side effects of cipriofloxacin may include stomach pain.
Side effects of cipriofloxacin may include stomach pain.

Another con of taking ciprofloxacin is the severe side effects that can develop in otherwise healthy individuals. Anyone experiencing these side effects should stop taking the medication and consult his doctor immediately. These side effects include stomach pain, fever, difficulty breathing, swelling, fever, fainting, depression, bleeding, seizures, and hallucinations.

Discussion Comments

anon929265

People with liver disease or impairment, even fatty liver can have difficulties with this drug. My asthma got so bad on it I ended up in the hospital to get another antibiotic and steroids. My oxygen was low and I didn't really realize that it was that bad. Also I have had the tendon problems with this and tequin and I can tell you it is well worth not even trying this drug if at all possible. Unless you have anthrax.

It does work well for urinary tract infections though, if you are willing to deal with possibly having to go to an orthopedic guy for bad pain in the shoulders and having expensive tests and treatments and being limited in what you can do due to tendinitis. And it just goes on off and on even months after stopping taking the medication.

stoneMason

@ddljohn-- I have heard about this too but I think it's a bit exaggerated. I'm sure that there are people who experienced these problems, but I haven't heard of any studies about it.

The only side effect I've experienced from ciprofloxacin is diarrhea, but I get that with all antibiotics. I think overall, ciprofloxacin is a great and highly effective antibiotic. It might not work for everyone, that doesn't mean that it's a useless drug.

ddljohn

I was given this antibiotic for prostatitis and I never took it. I have heard some very scary stories about how ciprofloxacin causes damage to the tendons and muscles. Many people have suffered serious injuries after being treated with ciprofloxacin.

I ended up going to a different doctor and asked him to prescribe me something that was a different category antibiotic but that would still work for my prostatitis.

If anyone has been prescribed ciprofloxacin, I urge you to do do your own research on it before taking it. I think it's a very dangerous drug to be used long-term.

bluedolphin

I was put on a five day course of ciprofloxacin last month for a urinary tract infection that had been bothering me for some time. This medication worked great, my infection is treated and it hasn't returned. I should have seen my doctor sooner, I didn't know that the treatment would be so easy.

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    • Ciprofloxacin can be used to treat throat infections in children.
      By: Dmitry Naumov
      Ciprofloxacin can be used to treat throat infections in children.
    • Ciprofloxacin comes with an increased risk of tendonitis, which may require physical therapy.
      By: aykuterd
      Ciprofloxacin comes with an increased risk of tendonitis, which may require physical therapy.
    • Ciprofloxacin is prescribed cautiously because it has a long list of side effects, especially for people over the age of 60.
      By: wildworx
      Ciprofloxacin is prescribed cautiously because it has a long list of side effects, especially for people over the age of 60.
    • Side effects of cipriofloxacin may include stomach pain.
      By: overcrew
      Side effects of cipriofloxacin may include stomach pain.
    • Ciprofloxacin is commonly prescribed to treat urinary tract infections.
      By: 7activestudio
      Ciprofloxacin is commonly prescribed to treat urinary tract infections.
    • Ciprofloxacin may be necessary to treat anthrax.
      By: alejandro dans
      Ciprofloxacin may be necessary to treat anthrax.
    • Lower respiratory infections are sometimes treated with ciprofloxacin.
      By: joshya
      Lower respiratory infections are sometimes treated with ciprofloxacin.