Uses Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic. This drug treats many kinds of infections of the skin, bone, stomach, brain, blood, lungs, ear, and urinary tract. It also treats certain sexually transmitted diseases. How to take Take tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow Ciprofloxacin tablets whole with a full glass of water. Although this medicine can be taken with meals, it is best to take Ciprofloxacin on an empty stomach. One hour before or two hours after meals is the preferred time. Do not take with magnesium/aluminum antacids, sucralfate, Videx (didanosine) chewable/buffered tablets or pediatric powder, or with other products containing calcium, iron or zinc. Ciprofloxacin may be taken two hours before or six hours after taking these products. Ciprofloxacin should not be taken with dairy products (such as milk or yogurt) or calcium-fortified juices alone; however, ciprofloxacin may be taken with a meal that contains these products. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. Side effects Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:; difficulty breathing; fever; hallucinations; increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light; irregular heartbeat, palpitations or chest pain; joint, muscle or tendon pain; nervousness, excitability, restlessness; reduced amount of urine; severe or watery diarrhea; skin rash, itching; seizures (convulsions); swelling of the face or neck; vomiting Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):; diarrhea; difficulty sleeping; dizziness, drowsiness; headache; nausea; stomach upset Precaution Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 3 days. If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Make sure you stay well hydrated while taking ciprofloxacin. Drink several glasses of water a day. This helps to prevent crystals of the drug from developing in your urine. Cut down on drinks that contain caffeine. Ciprofloxacin can increase the stimulant effects of caffeine and cause heart, breathing and other problems. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths. You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how ciprofloxacin affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Antacids can make ciprofloxacin ineffective. If you get an upset stomach and want to take an antacid, make sure there is an interval of at least 2 hours since you last took ciprofloxacin, or 6 hours before your next dose. Iron and zinc preparations can also make ciprofloxacin ineffective. Do not take multivitamins at the same time you take your ciprofloxacin tablets. If you notice pain or swelling of a tendon or around a joint, stop taking ciprofloxacin. Call your healthcare provider. Rest the affected area. Do not exercise or take ciprofloxacin until your healthcare provider tells you to do so. If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking ciprofloxacin. Drug interactions acetazolamide; aluminum salts; antacids; caffeine; calcium salts; citric acid; potassium citrate; sodium citrate products; didanosine, ddI; iron supplements; magnesium salts; manganese; medicines for diabetes; methazolamide; multivitamins containing calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, or zinc; mexiletine; NSAIDs such as Advil, Aleve, ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen; phenytoin; probenecid; sodium bicarbonate; sucralfate; theophylline; ursodiol; warfarin; zinc salts Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. Missed dose If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. This medication should be taken at regular intervals. Storage Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.