What is Ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin is a type of antibiotic that belongs to the quinolone group of antibiotics, aimed at treating bacterial infections. Ciprofloxacin works by stopping the proliferation of the bacteria in the body. Since Ciprofloxacin only targets bacteria, it is not effective against other pathogens like viruses, etc.
Ciprofloxacin Formula:
Ciprofloxacin hails from the quinolone group of the antibiotics.
What are the available forms of Ciprofloxacin in Pakistan?
There are three major types of Ciprofloxacin available in Pakistan. These include:
- Tablets
- Dry powder for use as suspension
- Solution for use in injections
Ciprofloxacin dosage and strength:
The dosage strengths available for Ciprofloxacin tablets include:
- Tablet as 250mg
- Tablet as 500mg
Following are the dosage strengths for oral suspension:
- Dry powder for oral suspension 125mg
- Dry powder for oral suspension 250mg
Ciprofloxacin’s dosage strengths for injections include:
- Solution for injection as 200mg
- Solution for injection as 400mg
For adults, the suggested dosage of ciprofloxacin is 500mg to 1000mg, a day. This same dosage is to be taken in case of diarrhea.
How to take Ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. However, those with gastric issues like ulcers should refrain from taking it on an empty stomach and instead take it with food, lest it aggravates their condition.
Moreover, if you experience any stomach pain and nausea, you should report to your doctor or nurse. It may be a sign of undiagnosed gastritis, and it is important that you report it to your doctor.
The tablet should be taken as a whole; do not crush or chew it. Also, do not stop taking the medicine at your own will. Consult with your doctor about when you should stop taking the medicine instead.
What are the uses of Ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin is used to treat a wide range of ailments. These include:
- Urinary tract infection
- Sinusitis
- Otitis media
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Lower respiratory tract infection
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Salmonellosis
- Infections of the oral cavities
- Lyme disease
- Prophylaxis for anthrax exposure
- Meningitis
- Endocarditis
- H. Pylori infection
- Skin infections
- Typhoid fever
- Parathyroid fever
- Prosthetic joints infection
- Prevention of secondary case of invasive group A streptococcal infection
- Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infections
- Nongonococcal urethritis
- Uncomplicated gonorrhea
- Prophylaxis for insertion of an intrauterine device
- Prevention of pertussis
What are the side effects of Ciprofloxacin?
Although mostly safe to use, Ciprofloxacin can have side-effects in certain cases. Possible complications include:
- Abdominal pain
- Vomit containing coffee grounds
- Blood in stool
- Constipation
- Black stools
- Acid reflux
- Anemia
- Elevation of liver enzymes
- Diarrhea
- Serum sickness
- Risk of infections
- Crystalluria
- Eye discomfort
- Gastric discomfort
- Lethargy and body pain
- Headache
- Hearing impairment
- Nausea
- Pancreatitis
- Sleep disorders
- Vision disorders
- Altered taste
What are the risks and warnings for Ciprofloxacin?
Allergic to ciprofloxacin:
Certain people can be allergic to Ciprofloxacin. An allergic reaction can be mild, causing symptoms like rashes, wheezing, hives etc. But a severe reaction can lead to life threatening conditions such as anaphylactic shock.
In this state, a person’s airways become congested, skin breakouts into rashes, vomiting & nausea ensue, the person becomes disoriented and might also faint. If timely aid is not provided, there can be serious consequences. Therefore, be sure to inform your doctor about your allergies. Do not take medicines with similar compositions, like Novidat.
Non-susceptible organisms:
Ciprofloxacin should only be prescribed in cases where bacteria is sensitive to it. Otherwise, it can lead to antibiotic resistance, in which treating future bacterial infections becomes a challenge. It generally is applicable for the infections pertaining to nose, ear and throat.
Diarrhea:
There are good bacteria present in the digestive tract, which keep it healthy. However, when we take antibiotics, these bacteria are also singled out and killed. Therefore, our gastrointestinal health suffers. Problems like diarrhea occur as a consequence then. If you have complaints of an upset stomach, you should let your doctor know.
Tendinitis:
People suffering from the inflammation of tendons due to some disease or condition, should refrain from taking Ciprofloxacin as It can cause the condition to aggravate.
Peripheral neuropathy:
Since Ciprofloxacin can lead to peripheral neuropathy, those already suffering from this condition should not use Ciprofloxacin.
Muscle weakness or Myasthenia Gravis:
Those having any disease that leads to weakness of the muscles, like myasthenia gravis should not take Ciprofloxacin or any other quinolone derivatives. These antibiotics can exacerbate the condition of the patient.
Seizures:
People with history of seizure or renal impairment should avoid Ciprofloxacin, as it can lead to seizures in the body. Moreover, for those suffering from conditions that can cause seizures like brain injury, tumor, or cerebral atherosclerosis, should take Ciprofloxacin with caution, lest it triggers seizures. It is also suggested that people disclose their health condition to their doctor, so medicines are prescribed accordingly to begin with.
Kidney failure:
Our kidneys perform the vital task of excreting waste products and toxins from the body. When the kidneys are unable to perform their task well, toxins build up in the body. It impairs several functions in the body, alongside other adverse effects. Thus, if you have kidney disease or failure, you should inform your doctor. They can adjust the dosage to the appropriate levels.
Gastric ulcers:
Due to Ciprofloxacin’s impact on gastrointestinal tracking, people suffering from issues like gastric ulcers, etc. should take Ciprofloxacin with extreme caution. Long term usage of Ciprofloxacin can have a grave impact on the lining of the stomach. Tell your doctor about any such gastric issues so that they can prescribe a gastroprotective agent alongside the antibiotic for patient ease.
Liver diseases:
People with liver diseases should take ciprofloxacin with caution. As liver helps in the metabolism and excretion of the drugs. Therefore, any disease of the liver impairs its functionality, due to which drugs get accumulated in the body. This has grave implications for the body.
Heart diseases and hypertension:
People with history of heart disease, heart attack or hypertension must take ciprofloxacin with caution, as it can exacerbate heart conditions.
Mental disorders:
Anyone with mental disease like depression and anxiety ought to take ciprofloxacin with caution since it can worsen the preexisting condition. Thus, be sure to inform your healthcare provider about any of your physical and mental health conditions.
Blood vessels diseases:
Individuals with history of blood diseases like atherosclerosis or aneurysm should take ciprofloxacin with caution.
Marfan syndrome:
People with Marfan syndrome should take Ciprofloxacin with caution, as it can worsen their condition.
Arrhythmias:
Arrhythmia is a condition in which the heartbeat rate or the rhythm of the heart becomes abnormal. If not treated in time, it can be fatal as well. Due to the impact of Ciprofloxacin on the QT interval prolongation of the heart, it can lead to arrhythmia. Thus, Ciprofloxacin should be used with caution.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Pregnant women and those breastfeeding should not take Ciprofloxacin, unless approved by their doctor. Usage of Ciprofloxacin can adversely affect the health of the baby.
Interactions between Ciprofloxacin and other medications:
Ciprofloxacin as a quinolone antibiotic can interact with other drugs. However, a drug interaction does not mean that you stop taking the drugs at your own will, but instead, confer with your healthcare provider about it.
- Probenecid
- Blood thinners like warfarin
- Allopurinol
- Oral birth control pills containing estrogen and progesterone.
- Other antibiotics like chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and macrolides.
- Opioid drugs
- Drugs that affect heart rhythms like procainamide, amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol, and dofetilide.
To prevent drug interactions, it is pertinent that you share your complete and comprehensive medical history with your healthcare provider. That way, your prescription is drafted accordingly, protecting you against any ill-wanted symptoms to begin with.
What is the price of Ciprofloxacin in Pakistan?
The price of a single tablet of Ciprofloxacin in Pakistan is Rs. 40.34/-
Storage Conditions:
- Ciprofloxacin should be kept out of the reach of children
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- It should not be used after the expiration date has passed.
How to get Ciprofloxacin in Pakistan?
In order to get Ciprofloxacin in Pakistan, you will be needing to present a doctor’s prescription to the pharmacist. Similarly, to get Novidat syrup for children, people need an authorized prescription from the doctor as well. This can be taken to the nearest pharmacy or medical store afterwards.
What medicines are available as alternatives to Ciprofloxacin in Pakistan?
The alternative names of Ciprofloxacin in Pakistan include:
- Novidat
- Mercep
- Veprox
Conclusion:
Medicines are helpful for treating different ailments and conditions, but they also have side-effects on the body. Therefore, discretionary use of medicines, especially antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin, should be made.
Furthermore, the onus is on people to be responsible in their use of antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin, as otherwise, it leads to the production of variant strains of bacteria that are resistant to the medication, presenting a big problem for not just the individual, but the entire community as well.
Hence, only take the medicines as per the orders of your health care provider. In order to consult a doctor before using Ciprofloxacin, make sure to use Oladocx.com
