Cipro is the brand name for the generic medication, ciprofloxacin. It is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is used in both oral in intravenous form to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. Like many medications, Cipro may cause a number of side effects, most of which are mild or transitory; however, use of Cipro may also pose a number of dangers or more serious adverse events.
Nausea and Diarrhea
Mild nausea may be a common side effect of ciprofloxacin, which according to Bayer, the manufacturer of Cipro, occurs in approximately 2.5 percent of patients. Some patients will also experience diarrhea following use of the medication. In most patients, these effects are transitory and will go away after the medication is finished. In more severe cases, watery or bloody diarrhea may indicate the development of a gastrointestinal infection with the organism, Clostridium difficile. Serious vomiting or watery, bloody stool should be immediately reported to a physician as it may become life-threatening.
Skin Irritations
Itching and rash are commonly reported side effects of Cipro use, occurring in up to 1 percent of patients tested in clinical trials. Use of fluoroquinolones may also cause some patients to become more sensitive to the sun and require the use of sunscreen or limited exposure to sunlight. These side effects are generally mild and transitory; however numbness or tingling of the skin along with weakness may indicate damage to the nervous system in a condition known as neuropathy. In addition, some patients may be allergic to Cipro and develop life-threatening allergic responses including severe itching, difficulty breathing and the development of a more severe rash known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Changes in skin sensation or appearance should be reported to a physician immediately.
Joint Pain
Some patients who take Cipro may develop mild arthritis-like symptoms including stiffness and achiness of the joints. Though not as common, fluoroquinolones such as Cipro have been shown to cause a more severe condition of tendinitis in some patients. In some cases, the occurrence of tendinitis has led to rupture of the tendon, particularly the Achilles tendon, as well as tendons of the shoulder, hands and other areas. Tendinitis symptoms of tendinitis may include joint pain, swelling and loss of movement. Any inflammation of the muscles or joints should be reported to a physician to rule out tendinitis.
Changes in Mental Status
Dizziness and lightheadedness are common side effects of Cipro, which are usually mild. In more severe cases, some patients have experienced convulsions because of a lowering of the seizure threshold. Other patients have experienced changes in heart functioning which may lead to the occurrence of heart palpitations, changes in blood pressure and other cardiac disturbance which may lead to changes in CNS functioning such as dizziness, fatigue and fainting. Other CNS disturbances including hallucination, worsening of depression and suicidal behavior may be experienced by some patients, particularly if a mental disorder is coexisting. Changes in level of consciousness should be reported to a physician for evaluation.
