Cipro has been shown to cause some side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these mild reactions do not go away within a few days.
Common side effects reported from Cipro use include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach Pain
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
This is not a complete list of adverse reactions caused by Cipro. Call your doctor immediately if you experience the following:
- Black, tarry stools
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- Bloody or cloudy urine or decreased urination
- Fever or chills
- Joint or muscle pain
- Red skin lesions, often with a purple center, or skin rashes
- Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- Severe stomach pain
- Hives or swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unusual weight gain
- Yellow skin or eyes
Taking Cipro has been shown to impact your tendons (cords attaching bone to your muscles). It can increase your risk of developing tendonitis or a tendon rupture, especially if you’re over 60, taking steroid medications, or have a history of tendon problems.
Cipro can interact with other medications and substances, causing potentially serious side effects or allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you are taking muscle relaxers such as tizanidine (Zanaflex), phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil, anticoagulants (blood thinners), antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics, insulin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen.
This is not a complete list of Cipro drug interactions, so discuss any medications you’re on, even if you don’t see them listed here.
Cipro can cause low blood sugar in some patients. Be wary of low blood pressure symptoms such as blurred vision, fatigue, confusion, pale skin, and cold sweats. Watch for these adverse effects if you have diabetes, and take diabetes medication orally. These could be signs of hypoglycemia and could lead to unconsciousness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that, while rare, fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Cipro can increase the occurrence of severe ruptures or tears in your aorta (a large artery that begins in the heart). These ruptures can lead to dangerous aortic bleeding, a heart attack, or even death, so people at risk for cardiac problems should be cautious about taking Cipro.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have been diagnosed with or have a history of other medical conditions, including a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause an irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), aneurysms, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness), seizures, or diabetes. Cipro can also significantly increase theophylline levels in your blood, leading to serious illness or death. This is not a comprehensive list of medical conditions that Cipro may affect, so speak with your doctor about your medical history before taking Cipro.
Cipro can cause your skin to become sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light, so try to avoid unnecessary sun exposure and do your best to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, or sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher. Call your doctor if you notice redness, swelling, or blistering from sun exposure while on Cipro.
As with all prescription medication, inform the prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have been diagnosed with and any medications or supplements you currently take before starting treatment.
Antacids can reduce the amount of Cipro that your body absorbs, so be sure to take them at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking antacid medications.
In addition, let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with this medication.