- August 15, 2023
- By Dr. Sarah Thompson, PharmD
Cipro is a prescription antibacterial medicine used to treat selected bacterial infections in adults and, for certain indications, in children, with ciprofloxacin as its active ingredient and oral tablets commonly supplied in 250 mg and 500 mg strengths. The medication is prescribed for infections caused by susceptible bacteria and may be used in conditions involving the urinary tract, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, bones, joints, and several other sites when ciprofloxacin is considered an appropriate treatment option.
The appointment of antibacterial agents is an extreme measure to combat pathogenic microorganisms, which is used if conventional anti-inflammatory drugs and immune complexes do not help. The duration of treatment can be from 5-7 days to several weeks.
Fluoroquinolones are a large group of highly active synthetic chemotherapeutic antimicrobial agents with a wide spectrum of action, characterized by good pharmacokinetic properties, and a high degree of penetration into tissues and cells, including macroorganism cells and bacterial cells.
Cipro is an antimicrobial medication that belongs to this group. The drug has a bactericidal effect against many bacteria, which we will discuss next. In other words, it causes their death. Due to its high activity against bacteria, the drug effectively destroys pathogens, preventing their spread and the development of complications.
Indications
If we talk about specific diseases of a bacterial nature, then Cipro is prescribed, then the following list has the most common ones:
- Cystitis and pyelonephritis. The drug is listed in clinical recommendations for bladder and kidney inflammation treatment.
- Colds and sore throats. It is used when the patient’s condition is severe or a bacterial infection has joined.
- The drug has the ability to accumulate in the prostate, which favorably affects the management of this disease.
- Drops or tablets can be used in such cases.
- Cipro is the drug of choice when such health issue arises.
- It can help fight bacteria after tooth extraction.
Cipro eye drops are used for corneal ulcers and eyeball infections caused by susceptible bacteria. In no case should you use these drops for the nose.
Which Ciprofloxacin Products Are Currently Available in Canada?
Ciprofloxacin remains available in Canada, although the current market is centered largely on generic tablets rather than Bayer’s original Cipro tablets. Health Canada’s Drug Product Database lists multiple prescription ciprofloxacin products from Canadian suppliers, with standard immediate-release tablets available in three principal strengths:
- 250 mg tablets;
- 500 mg tablets;
- 750 mg tablets.
Sandoz Canada, for example, currently markets ciprofloxacin tablets in all three strengths, while other suppliers have individual strengths listed as marketed, approved, or dormant. JAMP Pharma currently has marketed 250 mg and 500 mg tablets, and additional products are supplied by companies such as Teva Canada, Auro Pharma, Sun Pharma Canada, and other manufacturers depending on strength and current market status.
The situation is different for the original Cipro brand. Bayer’s 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg Cipro tablets are listed by Health Canada as cancelled post-market, while Cipro Oral Suspension 500 mg/5 mL remains marketed as a prescription product. As a result, a prescription written for oral ciprofloxacin tablets in Canada is commonly filled with an authorized generic product rather than the former Bayer tablet formulation.
How Much Does Cipro Cost?
The cost of ciprofloxacin in Canada depends on the strength, quantity, manufacturer, province, pharmacy dispensing fee, and whether the prescription is covered by a public or private drug plan. Since Bayer’s standard Cipro tablets are no longer marketed in Canada, current tablet pricing is more appropriately compared using generic ciprofloxacin.
| Ciprofloxacin Strength | Ontario Formulary Unit Price | Approximate Drug Cost for 10 Tablets |
|---|---|---|
| 250 mg | $0.4454 per tablet | $4.45 |
| 500 mg | $0.5025 per tablet | $5.03 |
| 750 mg | $0.9201 per tablet | $9.20 |
Can You Legally Order Tablets Online from Canada?
Ciprofloxacin tablets are prescription medicines in Canada, so purchasing them online legally requires a valid prescription and a pharmacy that is licensed in the Canadian province or territory where it operates. Health Canada’s current product records classify marketed ciprofloxacin tablets as prescription drugs, including 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg formulations.
A legitimate Canadian pharmacy offering online ordering is expected to follow the same professional and dispensing standards as its physical pharmacy location. Health Canada identifies several basic requirements for a compliant online service:
- the pharmacy is licensed by the appropriate provincial or territorial pharmacy regulatory authority;
- the website is connected to a pharmacy physically located in Canada;
- a Canadian-licensed pharmacist is available for medication questions;
- prescription drugs are dispensed only after an appropriate prescription has been provided.
A website that offers ciprofloxacin without a prescription, issues the drug solely from answers to an automated questionnaire, or does not provide verifiable pharmacy licensing information does not match the model Health Canada describes for a legitimate Canadian online pharmacy. The prescription requirement is especially relevant for antibiotics because the drug, dose, and duration are selected for a specific infection rather than purchased as an unrestricted supply for future use.
Contraindications of Cipro
The main prohibitions on taking Cipro are sensitivity to the ciprofloxacin or other components. If taken simultaneously with Tizanidine, then side effects may occur. Therefore such combinations are not recommended (although such treatment is prescribed in some cases). Also, you can not take medicine with a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
It must be said for the fact that contraindications to Ciprofloxacin are divided into two large categories. The first is when used in combination with other drugs for systemic treatment, and the second is a direct effect on a specific area. Your doctor will carefully examine all your medications to avoid any undesired combinations, and will also evaluate your current health condition to make sure that the drug will bring good instead of harming your body.
Cipro Dosages
Cipro can be used at home, without the need for hospitalization. This saves time and money on hospital visits and also provides the sick individual with the opportunity to remain in a comfortable environment during treatment.
The dosage and duration of treatment depend on your medical condition, the diagnosis, and your response to treatment. For example, for the treatment of uncomplicated respiratory tract infections, Cipro 500 mg is usually prescribed two times a day. The medical specialist will determine the dosage in your specific case.
Food intake is not something you should worry about, so simply take Cipro as directed by your doctor, usually every 12 hours or when you wake up and go to sleep. However, you should take tablets a few hours before or after eating foods that may bind to them, reducing their effectiveness.
For example, tea, coffee, fruit juices, and dairy products, in most cases, are not suitable for washing down antibiotics. These drinks speed up the elimination of the drug and may reduce the effectiveness of treatment as well as cause unwanted reactions. It is most rational to use water when taking medications unless otherwise indicated in the instructions provided by the doctor or pharmacist.
Check with a qualified healthcare professional about other medicines you are taking. For maximum effect, take this antibiotic at regular intervals.
If you feel that your condition is not getting better, contact your doctor before the scheduled appointment date. The doctor may prescribe a different dosage or a different drug. You should never try to treat any health issues with antibiotics on your own.
Combination with Alcohol
What happens if you drink alcohol with antibiotics? First, there will be a very strong load on the liver. By itself, alcohol is not particularly harmful, it is even beneficial for the body in moderation, and it will not particularly harm the liver. When combined with drugs, though, it can greatly harm the body. Alcohol can also simply level or minimize the positive effect of taking drugs.
For the most part, there are no antibiotics that can be used with alcohol. However, there are sources claiming that some drugs still allow combining with alcohol, but it is better not to do this so as not to harm the body. You should wait at least two weeks to let your weakened body restore before enjoying alcoholic drinks.
Side effects
Cipro causes the following side effects:
- Eosinophilia
- Allergic reactions
- Decreased appetite
- Psychomotor hyperactivity
- Headache and dizziness
- Issues with sleep and taste
- Visual disturbances
- Noise in ears
- Cardiopalmus
- Respiratory failure
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Increased activity of liver enzymes
- Joint pain
- Impaired kidney function
- Pain syndrome of non-specific etiology.
It is also worth mentioning that scientists from the University of Eastern Finland said that Cipro, which is widely used in modern medicine, is much more dangerous than was commonly thought. It damages the mitochondrial genome, which supplies energy to cells. After taking this medication, there is a violation of the production of mitochondrial energy and blockage of the growth and differentiation of cells.
It is these processes that determine the majority of side effects when taking antibiotics that fall under the fluoroquinolones category. The most serious of these are sensorimotor polyneuropathy, gendevitis, and tendon ruptures. It is hardly possible to replace them with safer analogs, the researchers say. However, information about mitochondrial damage is another signal to not use antibiotics unless absolutely necessary.
FAQ
What to do if I took more than the dosage recommended by the doctor?
If you take more pills per day than your doctor recommended, or if your child has swallowed the pills, call your doctor or call 911! Stop taking the medicine! Overdose can be manifested by dizziness, headache, fatigue, convulsions, hallucinations, confusion, abdominal discomfort, impaired kidney and liver function, and the presence of crystals and blood in the urine. As a first aid, it is recommended to wash the stomach and take antacids.
Can Cipro be prescribed to children?
Cipro is safe for use in children when the recommended dosage is followed. It has low toxicity and is well tolerated by the children’s body. With proper use of the drug and following the instructions of the doctor, the risk of side effects is minimal.
Can I get vaccinated after taking Cipro?
A course of antibiotics before vaccination may result in fewer antibodies being produced in response to the immunization. It is better to wait with the vaccine until the end of the treatment course.
Can Cipro cause a missed period?
A shift in the menstrual cycle can occur, but rather due to the stress experienced by the body due to the infection and the need to fight it. If the delay is long or there are other reasons for concern, consult a gynecologist because the disease could exacerbate previously hidden problems.
Can I donate blood after taking Cipro?
It is possible, but not earlier than 10-14 days after the end of the medication intake. Otherwise, your body might be too weak when dealing with the infection and the medication can be still in your body.
Does Cipro affect by reaction abilities?
The ability to drive a car and work with other mechanisms may decrease due to the effect of ciprofloxacin on the reaction speed.