Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood or urine. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take one dose a day, try to take it at the same time each day.

If you need to take this medicine for anthrax infection, your doctor will want you to begin using it as soon as possible after you are exposed to anthrax.

You may swallow the Cipro® tablet whole or break it in half at the score line. Do not crush or chew it. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, split, or chew it.

Shake the oral liquid for at least 15 seconds just before each use. The oral liquid has small microcapsules floating in it. These microcapsules may look like bubbles or small beads. Do not chew the microcapsules when you take the oral liquid. Measure the oral liquid with the marked measuring spoon that comes with the bottle.

You may take this medicine with or without food. However, Proquin® XR tablets should be taken with a main meal, preferably the evening meal.

Drink plenty of fluids while you are using this medicine. Drinking extra water will help prevent some unwanted effects of ciprofloxacin.

Do not take this medicine alone with milk, yogurt, or other dairy products. Do not drink any juice with calcium added when you take this medicine. It is okay to have dairy products or juice as part of a larger meal when you take this medicine.

If you are taking aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids, iron supplements, multivitamins, didanosine (Videx®), lanthanum carbonate (Fosrenol®), sevelamer (Renagel®), sucralfate (Carafate®), or any products containing calcium or zinc, do not take them at the same time that you take this medicine. It is best to take these medicines at least 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after taking ciprofloxacin. These medicines may keep ciprofloxacin from working properly.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    • For acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis:
      • Adults—1000 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For complicated urinary tract infections:
      • Adults—1000 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For uncomplicated urinary tract infections (acute cystitis):
      • Adults—500 milligrams (mg) once a day for 3 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage forms (suspension or tablets):
    • For anthrax infection (post-exposure):
      • Adults—500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day, taken every 12 hours for 60 days.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 15 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours for 60 days. However, the dose is usually not more than 500 mg per day.
    • For gonorrhea:
      • Adults—250 milligrams (mg) taken as a single dose.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For other infections:
      • Adults—250 to 750 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day, taken every 12 hours.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For plague:
      • Adults—500 to 750 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day, taken every 12 hours for 14 days.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 15 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 8 to 12 hours for 14 days. However, the dose is usually not more than 500 mg per day.
    • For urinary tract or serious kidney infections:
      • Adults—250 to 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day, taken every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours for 10 to 21 days. However, the dose is usually not more than 750 mg per day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose of the oral liquid or tablet and it is 6 hours or more until your next regular dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, and then go back to your regular schedule. If you miss a dose and it is less than 6 hours until your next regular dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

If you miss a dose of the extended-release tablet and it is 8 hours or more until your next regular dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, and then go back to your regular schedule. If you miss a dose and it is less than 8 hours until your next regular dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

You may store the oral liquid at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the bottle. Do not keep the mixed oral liquid for more than 14 days. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

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Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

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