Table of Contents Show
Cipro is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. However, medical professionals use Cipro as a last resort as this medication always leaves nasty side effects behind. But most often, health advisors have to prescribe Cipro as it is an extremely effective medication, so methods on how to recover from Cipro side effects are often sought after.
However, before we understand how to recover from Cipro’s side effects, let us first gather some basic information about the medication.
1. What is Cipro?
Cipro or Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic medication used for treating bacterial infections. Fluoroquinolones are the class of antibiotics to which Cipro belongs to. The antibiotic is used in treating many bacterial illnesses.
Cipro can be found in tablet form or powdered form for oral consumption. Cipro XR is also another form of medication.
Fluoroquinolones are known for potentially serious, long-term, and permanently disabling side effects. Early signs of ciprofloxacin toxicity include:
- High blood pressure
- Damage to the central nervous system
- Headaches
- Paroxysmal pain
- Hyperplasia
- Liver damage
- Urinary tract infections
- Increased heart rate
- Fluoroquinolone toxicity
- Tendon rupture
If patients experience any of these side effects or any other adverse reactions, consult your doctor immediately.
2. Uses of Cipro
Cipro is used to treat bacterial infections. Its work is to stop the growth of bacteria and further the possibility of growth in the future. It is prescribed to treat only infections caused by bacteria. Any other viruses cannot be treated with Cipro.
There are certain symptoms for which the use of Cipro is approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA):
- Gallbladder infection,
- Gastroenteritis,
- Respiratory infections,
- Sinus
- Sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrhea,
- Kidney infection,
- Prostate infection
Whereas Cipro XR extended is approved for treating only urinary intact infection.
Although Cipro has been widely used for treating almost all bacterial infections still, FDA has given clear instructions to prescribe Cipro as an alternative, not as the first choice.
Before knowing how to recover from Cipro’s side effects, it is important to understand why Cipro is prescribed. Also, using antibiotics without the need can have long-term serious side effects on the human body.
Using an excessive amount of fluoroquinolone antibiotics increases the chances of developing infections that could resist antibiotics.
3. Side effects of Ciprofloxacin or Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics
Taking Cipro or Ciprofloxacin has both positive and negative effects on the human body. Excess consumption of Cipro can also result in fluoroquinolone toxicity.
Some of the side effects which an individual may experience are
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upset stomach, bloody stool, and diarrhea
- Headache
- Trouble in sleeping
- Signs of kidney problems like urinary intact infection, change in the color of urine, and liver problems
- Throat infection
- Anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and depression
- Excessive sweating
- Tendon rupture
- Muscle weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Tendinitis
- Skin rash
The fluoroquinolone antibiotic could result in serious fluoroquinolone toxicity in the body, muscle pain, serious infections, nerve damage, high blood pressure, leg pain, weary legs, and other severe reactions.
Cipro or Ciprofloxacin can cause extensive damage to the nervous system or possibly lead to brain injury and other nerve damage.
Understanding the damages can also help us to understand how to recover from Cipro’s side effects. Fluoroquinolones have devastating and irreversible side effects on human muscles, tissues, and bones.
4. Side Effects on Children and During Pregnancy
Cipro or Ciprofloxacin is not for the use of children as they are highly sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin can cause joint damage in children.
Also, it is highly recommended not to use Cipro during pregnancies or by lactating mothers unless there is no other option. Still, it has to be confirmed by your medical advisors.
5. Can Cipro Work Against Every Infection?
Before coming to the main topic of recovering from Cipro side effects, let’s dig out some important facts.
Ciprofloxacin directly kills the enzymes needed by the bacteria to grow. They cannot fight against viral infections.
However, many bacteria are resistant to Ciprofloxacin. Such resistant bacteria cannot be treated with Ciprofloxacin. Doctors need stronger versions of some other fluoroquinolone antibiotics that directly block the enzymes needed for the survival of the bacteria.
6. More facts about Ciprofloxacin
6.1 Instructions Generally Recommended for Ciproflaxin
1. Check the medicines you’re taking
There are certain medications that one should not take while taking the dose of Ciprofloxacin or should not take before or after taking the dose of Ciprofloxacin. These medicines have chemical properties that do not go along with the properties of Ciprofloxacin or fluoroquinolone; the result could be worse. Tell about all your other medications when consulting with your doctor about Cipro.
2. Store Medicines Away from Children
Keep the prescribed medications packed close and out of the reach of children. Store it in the refrigerator or at room temperature tightly closed. Never freeze the Ciprofloxacin.
3. Consume Ciprofloxacin twice every three days or as prescribed by your medical advisor.
Take care not to go over the limit. Over-dose of Ciprofloxacin can lead to renal toxicity. The best way is to empty the stomach and let the patient vomit. Magnesium for Cipro poisoning can be recommended.
4. Read the Prescription
Always follow the instructions written on the prescription carefully. Swallow the complete tablet or extended-release tablets; don’t crush or chew as told by the doctor.
Consult the doctor immediately if you get a fever or have back pain in the first few days. If the symptoms never improve or worsen, you have to see a doctor before taking any medicines.
6.2 Different Interactions That Can Take Place in the Body
Ciprofloxacin and Magnesium salicylate
Avoid taking ciprofloxacin and magnesium salicylate orally at the same time. Products containing magnesium, iron, and calcium can interfere with the Ciprofloxacin in the bloodstream and may reduce the effectiveness of the Ciprofloxacin.
The doctor usually advises to stop taking Ciprofloxacin with magnesium salicylate altogether; Ciprofloxacin can be taken 2-4 hours before or 3-6 hours after taking magnesium salicylate.
If there is any confusion patients have regarding what kind of elements or compounds your supplements or any medicine is made up of, ask your doctor freely.
It is always wise enough to talk to the medical health supervisor, doctor, or any experienced person in medicine. Sharing all the details of a patient’s medical history is a crucial part of the treatment; based on the details shared by the patient, the doctor decides what is wrong with the patient’s body and how they should proceed further with the right medication. One should never stop taking any medication prescribed earlier before the consultation with the doctor.
Drug and food interaction
Do not take Ciprofloxacin with dairy products or calcium-fortified products. There is a high chance that they could make the medication less effective.
Alcohol and Cipro
Alcohol can cause worse side effects that can be irreversible. It can directly have nerve damage or nervous system attack. Symptoms like dizziness, muscle weakness, muscle pain, difficulty concentrating, inability to judge, or affecting thinking ability may be seen. It is advisable to limit or reduce alcohol consumption as much as possible while the medication1 is going on.
7. How to Reduce the Side Effects of Cipro?
Every drug has some negative aspects along with some positive effects. It is up to us how we deal with the side effects.
Cipro absorption can be severely restricted with diuretics containing magnesium and calcium. Other metal-ion-containing medications, such as sucralfate iron salts and zinc salts, can also reduce absorption. It can be a very good alternative in helping us in the process of how to recover from Cipro side effects.
The dose differs from person to person on the medical advice of the doctor. This medication is taken every 3-5 days, and patients should not stop it once prescribed. It is in the patient’s best interest and good for the health as well. Please ask your doctor about any new symptoms.
The side effects of Ciprofloxacin or any drug can be minimized, or we can say one can recover from the side effects of Ciprofloxacin by following simple steps.
7.1. Talk to the Doctor
In case of any symptoms, it is the best solution to talk with your doctor. Your doctor can be your best mentor who will guide you throughout the recovery process. Trust your doctor.
Freely ask your doctor related to the symptoms patient is facing. Also, discuss the treatment, drug, and other related medication. This will help you know how to recover from Cipro’s side effects.
7.2. Do Not Take Any Random Medicine
Always go for the prescription prescribed by the doctor. Never trust some random medication, medical advice, treatment, drugs, or related foreign source.
Try to gather some knowledge about antibiotics from your doctor. As they will be your mentor throughout the process, ask even minor doubts. Ask about the probable side effects.
Talking to some experts can make you know better how to recover from Cipro side effects.
7.3. Divide Your Meal Portions
Instead of having three meals, it is advised to break your meals into five smaller meals. Eat those meals which can be easily digested.
It will help to recover from nausea or stomach infection caused by Ciprofloxacin.
7.4. Drink Ample Water
Try to take small sips of water. Drink water slowly. You can have lime water in case you are having nausea. It will give you much relief. It can help avoid urinary tract infections, muscle weakness, tendon rupture, and other side effects.
In case one is suffering from Diarrhea, always drink enough water or fluids. Try to consume fluids with less sugar and more water and salts.
Try to avoid beverages like tea or coffee. It will make the case worse.
For children suffering from Diarrhea, ask doctors to use oral rehydration salts to replenish the lost water content of the body.
7.5. Rest Well
Have plenty of rest. It is very important to rest well and have enough sleep to fasten the recovery process.
7.6. Use Compresses
In case you have a headache, use a cold compress. Apply an ice pack to the head or neck to avoid inflammation and blood vessel constriction. It will give some relief but a temporary one.
Use a warm compress in case of tight muscles.
7.7. Avoid Alcohol
When taken with Cipro, alcohol can cause many health-related problems, like nausea, infections, vomiting, etc.
7.8. Peptide Therapy
Antimicrobial peptides have become highly recommended as alternatives to antibiotics and fluoroquinolone toxicity and have several medical applications. Chemical modifications of the peptide backbone can help to improve biological activity and stability and reduce fluoroquinolone toxicity.
8. Recommendations Given for Cipro When Used for UTI
In some complicated UTI 2infections, doctors may prescribe Ciprofloxacin. However, Food and Drug Administration has warned of serious side effects.
When taking Ciprofloxacin, it is essential to follow the pharmacist or doctor’s instructions while taking Cipro. If we want any antibiotics to work effectively, one should not leave the course in between.
Even if the symptoms become negligible, the patient should also continue the dose so that the infection won’t come back shortly.
Discontinuing medication without even consulting with the doctor allows the infection to return even in a worse form.
Along with the Ciprofloxacin3, taking enough fluids and frequent urinating can help flush the infection out of the system. Sometimes willpower also plays a very important role. Once a patient has stronger willpower, the process of how to recover from Cipro side effects somewhat becomes easy.
9. Warnings on the Box
These warnings are serious as prescribed by FDA, and one should not take these warnings lightly.
The boxed warning for Ciprofloxacin is mainly tendonitis, tendon rupture, and peripheral neuropathy for all age groups. Chronic pain, pain and needle sensation, burning sensation, weakness, and changes in nerves of hands and legs, are also present. Senior citizens are mostly affected by tendonitis and tendon rupture.
Once the patient is aware of all the possible symptoms that could occur during the medication, it becomes easier for the patient to go with the flow of how to recover from Cipro side effects.
Also, people who are recipients of kidney or heart transplants should be careful. That is why while considering the serious side effects, the FDA time to time, releases guidelines regarding the use of Cipro or how to recover from Cipro side effects.
10. Last Word
Remember, there are old sayings; precaution is better than cure. And this saying is applicable in all aspects of our life. The patient and doctor’s relationship is the foundation of medical care, making it clear how to recover from Cipro’s side effects.
Transparency and less hesitation clear all the doubts a patient has related to recovering from Cipro side effects. The more will be transparency; the better will be the medication results.
Nowadays, preventive healthcare measures are very common as people are getting educated and getting more aware of the repercussions. By getting early detection, medications, medical advice, and monitoring, one can extend their life a little more and live a happy and healthier life.
The use and quantity of medicine or any antibiotics should be taken after the consultation with the doctor. The medical practitioner is wise enough to understand your body and understand how to recover from Cipro side effects or any other antibiotics side effects. The more you connect with your doctor, the more clear the thought of how to recover from Cipro side effects will be.
Follow these simple steps and the recovery process from the side effects of Ciprofloxacin, or one can say the entire process of how to recover from Cipro side effects or any antibiotics will become easier.
11. FAQs
11.1 How Long Do Side Effects from Cipro Usually Last?
Depending on the person and the particular side effect experienced, the length of Cipro side effects can vary. While some side effects could go away in a few days, others might last for a few weeks. If you have persistent or severe side effects, you should speak with a healthcare provider.
11.2 Can Cipro Lead to Tendon Rupture or Tendonitis?
Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) and tendon rupture have been linked to Cipro use. Older folks, people taking corticosteroid drugs, and anyone with a history of tendon diseases are more likely to be at risk. You must consult a doctor right away if you have tendon discomfort or swelling while taking Cipro or right after.
11.3 Is it Feasible to Repair Cipro’s Effects on the Nerves?
Peripheral neuropathy is one of the rare yet severe side effects of Cipro. Nerve injury may occasionally be irreparable. However, evidence suggests that some people eventually make a full or partial recovery. To evaluate the degree of nerve damage and choose the best course of action, you must speak with a healthcare expert.
- Quincho-Lopez, Alvaro, et al. “Self-medication practices to prevent or manage COVID-19: A systematic review.” PloS one 16.11 (2021): e0259317. ↩︎
- Mattoo, Tej K., Nader Shaikh, and Caleb P. Nelson. “Contemporary management of urinary tract infection in children.” Pediatrics 147.2 (2021). ↩︎
- Igwegbe, Chinenye Adaobi, et al. “Adsorption of ciprofloxacin from water: a comprehensive review.” Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 93 (2021): 57-77. ↩︎
Last Updated on by Suchi
Authors
