Cipro is a brand name for ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic. The medication is prescribed to treat bacterial infections. It works by slowing the production of proteins the bacterium need to survive. Cipro is also prescribed for the treatment of anthrax. It can be dispensed as a tablet, intravenous (IV) administration or oral suspension. As with any medication, Cipro has the potential for side effects.
Less Serious Side Effects
Most individuals who use Cipro will experience few, if any, side effects, according to RxList.com. The most common side effects are not considered serious. Drugs.com identifies the mild side effects as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, nervousness, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, nightmares and/or increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Users who receive the antibiotic via IV may experience tenderness, pain, bruising, bleeding and redness at the site of injection. This is not a side effect of the medication but instead a reaction to the piercing of the skin.
Serious Side Effects
Drugs.com warns that Cipro should not be taken by individuals who experience more serious side effects including dizziness leading to fainting, irregular heartbeat, pounding heartbeat, sudden swelling of the joints, watery or bloody diarrhea, confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual behavior or thoughts, seizure, pale or yellow skin, darkened urine, fever, weakness, urinating less frequently or not at all, bruising or bleeding easily, numbness or tingling with pain in any part of the body, fever, sore throat, headache, and skin blistering or peeling. These signs and any indication of a skin rash should be reported to a medical professional immediately.
RxList.com points out several other serious side effects that have a low chance of occurring. These include lethargy, restlessness, lightheadedness, manic reaction, tremor, lack of coordination, anorexia, phobia, abnormal movement when walking, infection of the mouth, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver failure, hiccough, flushing of the skin, eye pain, bad taste in the mouth and hearing loss.
Allergic Reaction
In the event that an individual has a sensitivity or allergy to Cipro, RxList.com recommends medical treatment immediately. The early signs of allergy may include hives, trouble breathing, facial swelling, swelling of the lips, swelling of the tongue and swelling of the throat. Drugs.com indicates that these side effects can lead to asphyxiation if they are left untreated.
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