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Brand Names: Cipro XL
Common Name: ciprofloxacin extended-release tablets
What is this drug used for?
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that belongs to the family of medications known as quinolones. It is used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. Ciprofloxacin extended-release (XL) is used to treat urinary tract infections such as cystitis (bladder infection) or uncomplicated pyelonephritis (kidney infection).
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
Is there any reason not to take this drug?
Ciprofloxacin should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to ciprofloxacin or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- is allergic to other medications in the quinolone family (e.g., norfloxacin, moxifloxacin)
- is also taking a medication called tizanidine
What about possible side effects?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- heartburn
- nausea
- vaginal yeast infection
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- seizures
- signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or face)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
What if I am taking other drugs?
There may be an interaction between ciprofloxacin extended-release and any of the following:
- antacids, multivitamins, and other supplements that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc (take ciprofloxacin either 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking any of these products)
- caffeine
- cyclosporine
- didanosine
- duloxetine
- glyburide
- methotrexate
- phenytoin
- probenecid
- quinapril
- sevelamer
- sucralfate (do not take within 2 hours of ciprofloxacin)
- theophylline
- thypoid vaccine
- tizanidine
- warfarin
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
Other information:
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Antibiotic-associated colitis: This medication, like other antibiotics, may cause a potentially dangerous condition called antibiotic-associated, or pseudomembranous, colitis. Symptoms include severe, watery diarrhea that may be bloody. If you notice these symptoms, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Behaviour and nervous system: Rarely, ciprofloxacin may affect behaviour and the nervous system. If you experience confusion, tremours, depression (including thoughts of harming yourself), hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not actually there), agitation, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, or any other behaviour changes while taking this medication, contact your doctor.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Do not drive or operate machinery until you are sure the medication does not cause dizziness.
Kidney disease: Lower doses of ciprofloxacin may be needed for people with severely reduced kidney function.
Other infections: Use of ciprofloxacin for a long time may cause other infections, especially by yeast or fungi. If you notice symptoms of an infection (e.g., vaginal yeast infection symptoms such as thick white discharge and itchiness), contact your doctor.
Seizures: People with known or suspected disorders that increase the risk of seizures, including severe cerebral arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries in the brain) or epilepsy should discuss with their doctor how this medication may affect their medical condition and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Sun sensitivity: Ciprofloxacin can increase the sensitivity of the skin to sun and increase the chance of sunburn. Avoid the sun, use sunscreen, and avoid sun beds while taking this medication. Stop taking the medication and contact your doctor if sun sensitivity occurs (e.g., sunburn).
Tendonitis: Ciprofloxacin may increase the chance of tendon injury. Injury occurs more commonly for seniors who are also taking, or have recently taken, corticosteroid medications (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone). If there is any new pain in the tendons, stop taking ciprofloxacin, avoid physical exercise, and contact your doctor.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking ciprofloxacin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of ciprofloxacin extended-release has not been established for children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.
Special Instructions:
For uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women, the usual recommended adult dose of ciprofloxacin extended-release (XL) is 500 mg once a day for 3 days.
For complicated urinary tract infections and uncomplicated kidney infections, the usual recommended adult dose is 1,000 mg once a day for 7 to 14 days. For people with severely reduced kidney function, the recommended dose is 500 mg once a day for 7 to 14 days.
Ciprofloxacin extended-release should be swallowed whole. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablet. It should be taken at approximately the same time each day, with or without food. It should not be taken with dairy products (milk, yogurt) or calcium-fortified juices. However, it can be taken with a meal that contains these products. (See "What other medications could interact with this medication?" below.)
Drink adequate amounts of liquids (water, juices) when you are taking this medication.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Finish all of this medication, even if you begin to feel better. It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. Do not take more than one dose of ciprofloxacin extended-release per day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
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