Use of the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin

Directions for use and dosage

The treatment regimen is determined by the type and severity of the infection. Ciprofloxacin - instructions for its use indicate 3 methods of use. The drug can be used externally, internally or by injection. Dosage is also affected by kidney function, and sometimes by age and body weight. For older people and children it is much lower. Tablets are taken orally; it is recommended to do this on an empty stomach. Injections are used in more severe cases to make the drug work faster. According to the instructions, before prescribing, a test is performed to determine the sensitivity of the pathogen to the medication.

Ciprofloxacin tablets

For an adult, the daily dose ranges from 500 mg to 1.5 g. It is divided into 2 doses at intervals of 12 hours. To prevent crystallization of salts, the antibiotic is washed down with plenty of liquid (most importantly, not milk). Treatment lasts until the symptoms of the infectious disease are completely relieved and for a couple of days after. The average duration of treatment is 5-15 days. According to the instructions, therapy is extended to 2 months for osteomyelitis, and to 4-6 weeks for lesions of bone tissue and joints.

Drops

The ophthalmic drug is instilled 1-2 drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye every 4 hours. According to the instructions, for more severe infections, use 2 drops. To treat otolaryngology diseases, the medicine is instilled into the ears, after first cleaning the external auditory canal. Use a dosage of 3-4 drops up to 4 times throughout the day. After the procedure, the patient needs to lie down for a couple of minutes on the opposite ear to the sore ear. Duration of therapy is from 7 to 10 days.

Ointment

Eye ointment is placed in small quantities behind the lower eyelid of the affected eye several times throughout the day. This form of release is not so widespread, because there are drops. It is produced by only one plant - OJSC Tatkhimfarmpreparaty. For this reason and due to ease of use, eye drops are often used rather than ointment.

Ciprofloxacin intravenously

The solution is administered as an intravenous infusion. For an adult patient, Ciprofloxacin in ampoules is prescribed by dropper with a daily dosage of 200-800 mg. For lesions of joints and bones, 200-400 mg is administered twice a day. Treatment lasts approximately 7 to 10 days. Ampoules of 200 ml are prescribed intravenously for administration over half an hour, and 400 ml - over an hour. They can be combined with sodium chloride solution. Ciprofloxacin injections for intramuscular administration are not prescribed to patients.

Ciprofloxacin - instructions for use

According to the instructions for use of Ciprofloxacin, the dosage of the drug depends on the diagnosis and the form of the drug.

You are allowed to take no more than 1.5 g of Ciprofloxacin per day. The dosage is adjusted exclusively by the attending physician. You should not self-medicate.

How to take Ciprofloxacin: before or after meals

Ciprofloxacin tablets are recommended to be taken 60–90 minutes after meals, since this drug is an antibiotic. It is also allowed to take the drug half an hour before meals, but in rare cases, and it all depends on the patient’s condition and the diagnosis.

special instructions

If the patient has a history of pathology of the central nervous system, then Ciprofloxacin is not prescribed to him, because the drug has a number of side effects in relation to it. It is also used with caution for epilepsy, severe cerebrosclerosis, brain damage and a reduced threshold for seizures. Old age, serious renal or liver dysfunction are also reasons to limit Ciprofloxacin. Other features of the drug:

• the appearance of signs of tenosynovitis and pain in the tendons is a reason to discontinue the drug, otherwise there is a risk of rupture or tendon disease;
• for patients with an alkaline urine reaction, the therapeutic dose is reduced to exclude the development of crystalluria;
• patients working with potentially dangerous devices should be aware that the medicine can affect the speed of psychomotor reactions, especially when drinking alcohol;
• with prolonged diarrhea, it is necessary to exclude the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis;
• During treatment, you should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and increased physical activity, monitor your drinking regime and the acidity of your urine.

Ciprofloxacin for children

Ciprofloxacin is allowed for children, but only from a certain age. The medicine is used as a second or third line drug in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections or pyelonephritis in a child, which were caused by E. coli. Another indication for use is the risk of developing anthrax after contact with the infectious agent and pulmonary complications in cystic fibrosis. The studies concerned the use of Ciprofloxacin only for the treatment of these diseases. For other indications, experience with the drug is limited.

Interaction

The absorption of Ciprofloxacin is slowed down by antacids containing magnesium and aluminum. As a result, the concentration of active components in the blood and urine decreases. Probenecid leads to a delay in drug elimination. Ciprofloxacin can enhance the effect of coumarin anticoagulants. When taking it, you need to reduce the dose of theophylline, since the medicine reduces microsomal oxidation in hepatocytes, otherwise the concentration of theophylline in the blood will increase. Other interaction options:

• when used simultaneously with products containing cyclosporine, a short-term increase in creatinine concentration is observed;
• metoclopramide accelerates the absorption of Ciprofloxacin;
• while taking oral anticoagulants, bleeding time increases;
• While taking Ciprofloxacin, resistance to other antibiotics not included in the inhibitor group does not develop.

Contraindications and side effects

1. It should not be taken by a child under 18 years of age, because the drug may affect the process of skeletal formation.
2. Diseases of tendons and ligaments.
3. During pregnancy, during breastfeeding.
4. Do not take if epilepsy attacks occur.
5. If you have a personal intolerance to the components of the drug.
6. Do not take simultaneously with tizandine.

Some patients are interested in whether it is possible to drink alcohol while taking the drug. It should be understood that ciprofloxacin is a potent medication, so combining it with alcohol is prohibited. Interaction of the drug with strong drinks can lead to unpleasant side effects or a decrease in the effect of medicinal components, for example:

1. The drug and alcohol have a double toxic effect on the liver, destroying it.
2. The presence of alcohol in the blood increases the risk of side effects.
3. The medication enhances the effect of alcohol on a person’s condition, and the effectiveness of the drug is significantly reduced.

Doctors strongly recommend giving up alcohol not only during the course of therapy, but also over the next 2 days, so that the medication is completely removed from the body. The daily dosage of the drug is prescribed by the doctor based on tests. There are situations in which overdose symptoms appear or side effects occur.

Overdose

• abdominal pain;
• dizziness;
• diarrhea;
• vomit;
• hand tremors;
• headache;
• hallucinations;
• seizure activity;
• blood in urine;
• liver, kidney failure.

Side effects

• skin rash, itching;
• bloating;
• diarrhea, nausea, vomiting;
• sleep disturbance;
• double vision;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• weakness;
• hepatitis;
• cardiopalmus;
• anemia;
• dizziness.

Side effects and drug overdose

The advantage of all forms of the drug is good tolerability, but some patients still experience adverse reactions, such as:

• headache;
• tremor;
• dizziness;
• fatigue;
• excitation.

This is a common negative reaction to the use of Ciprofloxacin. The instructions also indicate more rare side effects. In some cases, patients may experience:

• intracranial hypertension;
• tides;
• sweating;
• abdominal pain;
• nausea or vomiting;
• hepatitis;
• tachycardia;
• depression;
• skin itching;
• flatulence.

Judging by the reviews, in exceptional cases, patients develop bronchospasms, anaphylactic shock, Lyell's syndrome, creatinine, and vasculitis. when used in otology, the drug can cause ringing in the ears, dermatitis, and headache. When using the medication to treat the eyes, you can feel:

• feeling of a foreign body in the eye, discomfort and tingling;
• the appearance of a white coating on the eyeball;
• conjunctival hyperemia;
• lacrimation;
• decreased visual acuity;
• photophobia;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• corneal staining.

Overdose and possible side effects

If an amount of the drug exceeds the maximum permitted dosage enters the body, the following symptoms may occur:

• unnatural trembling of arms and legs;
• convulsions;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• pain in the abdomen;
• diarrhea;
• gagging and vomiting;
• hallucinations;
• the kidneys or liver may begin to fail;
• blood appears in the urine.

To remove the drug from the body, it is recommended to rinse the stomach, drink plenty of fluids and call a doctor.

In some cases, side effects may occur. For example, from the gastrointestinal tract it happens:

• nausea and subsequent vomiting;
• dysbacteriosis with subsequent diarrhea;
• just a decrease in appetite;
• bloating.

There may be skin manifestations in the form of itching and rash, fungal infections on the mucous membranes of the mouth or vagina. If the processes in the liver are disrupted, hepatitis occurs. Disturbances occur in the nervous system:

• headache;
• hallucinations;
• dizziness;
• trembling of legs and arms;
• convulsions;
• disturbances during sleep.

The senses and vision begin to malfunction:

• double vision;
• color vision impairment;
• tinnitus or complete deafness (temporary).

From the hematopoietic and cardiovascular systems:

• anemia;
• increased number of leukocytes and platelets in the blood;
• cardiopalmus.

Manifestations of muscle weakness, joint pain and inflammation are possible.

Contraindications

According to the instructions, Ciprofloxacin is contraindicated in case of individual sensitivity or intolerance to the components of the drug. The drug in the form of drops for the eyes and ears cannot be used for viral and fungal infections of these organs, as well as for the treatment of children under 15 years of age. The solution for intravenous administration is contraindicated under 12 years of age. Other restrictions on use:

• breastfeeding and pregnancy (during lactation it is excreted in milk);
• drinking alcohol;
• liver or kidney diseases;
• history of tendinitis caused by the use of quinolones, which cause increased sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin.

According to the instructions, in case of an overdose of the drug, no specific signs appear; adverse reactions may only intensify. In this case, symptomatic treatment is indicated in the form of gastric lavage, creating an acidic urine reaction, taking emetics and drinking plenty of fluids. These activities are carried out against the backdrop of support for vital organs and systems.

Side effects

Most often, patients taking Ciprofloxacin experience undesirable side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and discomfort in the area of ​​drug administration (the latter is not relevant for tablets).

A list of infrequent symptoms that occur in one in a hundred patients includes:

• from the hematopoietic system – eosinophilia;
• on the metabolic side - anorexia, loss of appetite;
• from the mental side - hyperactivity;
• from the central nervous system - headaches, sleep and taste disturbances, fatigue, anxiety;
• from the cardiovascular system - palpitations;
• from the gastrointestinal tract - vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain;
• on the skin - rash, itching, urticaria.

Ciprofloxacin analogs

Synonyms for Ciprofloxacin are Ciprodox, Basijen, Procipro, Promed, Ificipro, Ecofitsol, Tseprova. The following drugs are similar in their principle of action:

• Nolitsin;
• Gatispan;
• Zanotsin;
• Abaktal;
• Levotek;
• Levofloxacin;
• Eleflox;
• Ivacin;
• Moximac;
• Oflocid.

Ciprofloxacin price

The cost of the drug varies depending on the place of purchase. The medicine can be bought at the pharmacy, but only if you have a prescription with you. The same applies to purchases in an online store - the courier also needs to present a doctor’s prescription. Approximate prices for the drug are shown in the table: