Help.. I just stated a new medication Ciprofloxacin--side effects??

[ckmommy]

I have a horrible UTI. I was given a perscription for an antibiotic--ciprofloxacin in it. I am feeling really weird now. Super dizzy and my eyes have lost ther outer vision (this happens when I am about to get a migrane). I also took some Tylenol for what I thought was the onset of a migrane. But now I am wondering if this is just an effect of the medicine. Also, the dr. told me to take 2 pills every 12 hours, but the perscription says to only take one every 12 hours. The dr.'s office is closed and there is no answering machine. Any advice?? I only took one pill BTW.

Thanks!!

 

[mickeyboat]

Call your pharmacy. They might be able to help you with what are normal side effects, and what you should look out for.

I would guess migraine, but I really don't know if it might be linked to the medicine.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Denae

 

[chobie]

Yep, I got really bad headaches from sulfer antibiotics. I had to change to something else.

 

[ChrizJen]

Yes, I would definitely try to get ahold of someone before your next dose in case it's an alergic reaction. But it does sound like the classic migraine symptoms that I get...

 

[Christine]

I don't mean to be nitpicky here but it is "sulpha" that you are concerned about, not "sulpher." I only point this out because if it is a true allergy to "sulpha" medications that is different from "sulpher" and "sulfites" which are all separate entities but can appear in medications and other ingested products. You don't ever really want to mix these up.

And sulpha allergies are pretty common so this could be a reaction. Most common reaction, though, is a skin rash.

 

[justjulie]

I used to see little silver flecks when I used sulpha drugs - it was an intolerance to the drug - I switched to Macrobid for a UTI and it worked wonders!

 

[ckmommy]

I am feeling much better now. I have a bit of a headache, but the dizzyness and outer vision problems have cleared. I also ate something. I had not eaten anything all day, so maybe that had something to do with it.

Christine--I am taking Ciprofloxacin. I have no idea if it is a sulfer or sulfa. I am guessing that it is the sulfa. I must have misunderstood the Dr. when she asked if I was allergic to sulfer vs. sulfa drugs.

I am going to call the pharmacy and ask them if I should be more concerned with this drug.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Jillpie]

I don't mean to be nitpicky here but it is "sulpha" that you are concerned about, not "sulpher." I only point this out because if it is a true allergy to "sulpha" medications that is different from "sulpher" and "sulfites" which are all separate entities but can appear in medications and other ingested products. You don't ever really want to mix these up.

And sulpha allergies are pretty common so this could be a reaction. Most common reaction, though, is a skin rash.

Not to be even nitpickier, but I think its "sulfa".

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone. There is no sulpha in this drug. I would double check your dose.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Not to be even nitpickier, but I think its "sulfa".

Sulpha or sulfa, just not sulfer.

 

[disneynutcase]

I am allergic to sulfa but the hives didn't show up until I had taken it for a few days.

Jean

 

[ckmommy]

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone. There is no sulpha in this drug. I would double check your dose.

I guess I am totally off. No real news there though. I have no idea what that big word starting with an "F" is, but I do know that had had some weird things happen when I took it.


The only reason I thought it was (sulpher) sulfer or sulpha (sulfa) was because that was what my dr. asked me about. Sorry for the confussion.

Has anyone ever been on this drug before? Any weird side effect from this? I will change my thread title to include that big "f" word.

 

[chobie]

I don't know what the side affects are of this drug, but I do hope you spelled it right.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, I am allergic to Sulpha drugs, but have taken Cipro. It is a strong antibiotic.

I think that, like many antibiotics, they can do a real number on you, especially on an empty stomach. (some really upset my stomach!!!)

I think that this may have contributed to how you were feeling.

If the pharmacy is open, you can call them and they will tell you the usual dose. Or, you can look up the patient-info for the drug on the pharmaceutical companies web-site. This may list the usual dosage.

Hope you get better soon!!!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I'm sensitive to this drug family. Sometimes you just need to adjust to it.
Usually, it is every 12 hours. That doesnt mean your dose is. Whats the strength?

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a688016.html#side-effects
Side Effects

upset stomach
vomiting
stomach pain
indigestion
headache
nervousness
agitation
anxiety
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
nightmares or abnormal dreams

Serious Side Effects (UNCOMMON) Call your doc immediately.

seizures
******l yeast infection
confusion
shaking hands that you cannot control
believing that others want to harm you
hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
depression
thoughts about dying or killing yourself

 

[ckmommy]

I am supposed to take--according to my dr. 2 pills @ 500 mg. each (so 1000 mg) two times a day (so 2000 mg a day). But the pharmacy said to only take 1 pill (500 mg) two times a day (1000 mg per day). I am pretty confussed!!

BTW-- I am 5'6 and 128 pounds if that make a difference.

 

[lsyorke]

2000mg a day is an overdose of Cipro. The fluoroquinolones(Cipro, Avelox,Levaquin and more) have some serious side effects. Tachycardia(rapid heart rate) is one, the visual disturbances in another. Probably one of the most bizarre is spontaneous tendon ruptures. Psychosis is another one.
This is one category of drugs that I, and my family, stay away from.

Was this the first drug they tried for the UTI??? If it is, I would be calling for a drug change to something milder.

From http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/cipro_wcp.htm

Central Nervous System Disorders: Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure, and toxic psychosis have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin may also cause central nervous system (CNS) events including: dizziness, confusion, tremors, hallucinations, depression, and, rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts. These reactions may occur following the first dose. If these reactions occur in patients receiving ciprofloxacin, the drug should be discontinued and appropriate measures instituted. As with all quinolones, ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with known or suspected CNS disorders that may predispose to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (e.g. severe cerebral arteriosclerosis, epilepsy), or in the presence of other risk factors that may predispose to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (e.g. certain drug therapy, renal dysfunction). (See PRECAUTIONS: General, Information for Patients, Drug Interactions and ADVERSE REACTIONS.)

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I am supposed to take--according to my dr. 2 pills @ 500 mg. each (so 1000 mg) two times a day (so 2000 mg a day). But the pharmacy said to only take 1 pill (500 mg) two times a day (1000 mg per day). I am pretty confussed!!

BTW-- I am 5'6 and 128 pounds if that make a difference.

Listen to the pharmacist. Your dose is at the high end for a UTI to begin with. I would never take 2000 mg a day.

 

[ckmommy]

2000mg a day is an overdose of Cipro. The fluoroquinolones(Cipro, Avelox,Levaquin and more) have some serious side effects. Tachycardia(rapid heart rate) is one, the visual disturbances in another. Probably one of the most bizarre is spontaneous tendon ruptures. Psychosis is another one.
This is one category of drugs that I, and my family, stay away from.

Was this the first drug they tried for the UTI??? If it is, I would be calling for a drug change to something milder.

Wow, this is some drug!! I just got off the phone with the pharmacy and they said not to take anymore than the 1 pill every 12 hours. If the side effects are as bad in the morning, I may call to switch the perscription.

Yes, this was the first drug they have tried for the uti. Not to give TMI but, it was all blood that I was urinating--bad, bad, bad!! I am really afraid to go to the bathroom again!! I have had this uti since Monday (although, the blood just appeared this morning) but triyng to use cranberry juice to cure it. So much for that.

 

[kat3668]

I have taken cipro at least 5 times just this year for recurrig kidney infections and UTI/s it does take a day or two for your body to adjust at the beginning but eventually it does get accustomed to the drug.. just make sure you take it with food! it really does help to absorb the meds and make it easier on your tummy! Hope you are feeling better soon I feel for you UTIs are the pits!