Patient leaflet - Ciprofloxacin 100 mg tablets
1. What Ciprofloxacin tablets are and what they are used for
- Pain and swelling in the joints and inflammation or rupture of tendons may occur rarely. Your risk is increased if you are elderly (above 60 years of age), have received an organ transplant, have kidney problems or if you are being treated with corticosteroids.
- What you need to know before you take Ciprofloxacin tablets
- How to take Ciprofloxacin tablets
- Possible side effects
How to store Ciprofloxacin tablets
Inflammation and ruptures of tendons may occur even within the first 48 hours of treatment or up to several months after discontinuation of Ciprofloxacin therapy.
- Contents of the pack and other information
What Ciprofloxacin tablets are and what they are used for
At the first sign of pain or inflammation of a tendon (for example in your ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder or knee), stop taking Ciprofloxacin, contact your doctor and rest the painful area. Avoid any unnecessary exercise, as this might increase the risk of a tendon rupture.
The active substance is Ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic belonging to the fluoroquinolone family. Ciprofloxacin works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It only works with specific strains of bacteria.
- If you feel sudden, severe pain in your abdomen, chest or back, which can be symptoms of aortic aneurysm and dissection, go immediately to an emergency room. Your risk may be increased if you are being treated with systemic corticosteroids.
Adults
Ciprofloxacin is used in adults to treat the following bacterial infections:
- If you start experiencing a rapid onset of shortness of breath, especially when you lie down flat in your bed, or you notice swelling of your ankles, feet or abdomen, or a new onset of heart palpitations (sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat), you should inform a doctor immediately.
- respiratory tract infections
- long lasting or recurring ear or sinus infections • urinary tract infections
- genital tract infections in men and women • gastro-intestinal tr act infections a nd intraabdominal infections
- If you suffer from epilepsy or other neurological conditions such as cerebral ischemia or stroke, you may experience side effects associated with the central nervous system. If seizures happen, stop taking Ciprofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately.
- skin and soft tissue infections
- bone and joint infections
- to prevent infections due to the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis
- anthrax inhalation exposure
- You may rarely experience symptoms of nerve damage (neuropathy) such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/ or weakness especially in the feet and legs or hands and arms. If this happens, stop taking Ciprofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately.
Ciprofloxacin may be used in the management of patients with low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) who have a fever that is suspected to be due to a bacterial infection.
If you have a severe infection or one that is caused by more than one type of bacterium, you may be given additional antibiotic treatment in addition to Ciprofloxacin.
- Quinolone antibiotics may cause an increase of your blood sugar levels above normal levels (hyperglycaemia) or lowering of your blood sugar levels below normal levels, potentially leading to loss of consciousness (hypoglycaemic coma) in severe cases (see section 4). This is important for people who have diabetes. If you suffer from diabetes, your blood sugar should be carefully monitored.
Children and Adolescents
Ciprofloxacin is used in children and adolescents, under specialist medical supervision, to treat the following bacterial infections:
lung and bronchial infections in children and adolescents suffering from cystic fibrosis • complicated urinary tract infections, including infections that have reached the kidneys (pyelonephritis)
- Diarrhoea may develop while you are taking antibiotics, including Ciprofloxacin, or even several weeks after you have stopped taking them. If it becomes severe or persistent or you notice that your stool contains blood or mucus, stop taking Ciprofloxacin immediately, as this can be life threatening. Do not take medicines that stop or slow down bowel movements and contact your doctor.
- anthrax inhalation exposure
Ciprofloxacin may also be used to treat other specific severe infections in children and adolescents when your doctor considered this necessary.
- Tell the doctor or laboratory staff that you are taking Ciprofloxacin if you have to provide a blood or urine sample.
2. What you need to know before you take Ciprofloxacin tablets
- If you suffer from kidney problems, tell the doctor because your dose may need to be adjusted.
Do not take Ciprofloxacin Tablets if you:
- Ciprofloxacin may cause liver damage. If you notice any symptoms such as loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), dark urine, itching, or tenderness of the stomach, stop taking Ciprofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately.
- are allergic to ciprofloxacin, to other quinolone drugs or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- are taking tizanidine (see Section 2: Other medicines and Ciprofloxacin)
- Ciprofloxacin may cause a reduction in the number of white blood cells and your resistance to infection may be decreased. If you experience an infection with symptoms such as fever and serious deterioration of your general condition, or fever with local infection symptoms such as sore throat pharynx/ mouth or urinary problems you should see your doctor immediately. A blood test will be taken to check possible reduction of white blood cells (agranulocytosis). It is important to inform your doctor about your medicine.
Warnings and Precautions
Before taking this medicine
You should not take fluoroquinolone/quinolone antibacterial medicines, including ciprofloxacin, if you have experienced any serious adverse reaction in the past when taking a quinolone or fluoroquinolone.
In this situation, you should inform your doctor as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse before taking Ciprofloxacin tablets if you: • have heart problems. Caution should be taken when using this kind of medicine, if you are born with a family history of prolonged QT interval (seen on ECG, electrical recording of the heart), have salt imbalance in the blood (especially low level of potassium and magnesium in the blood), have a very slow heart rhythm (called bradycardia), have a weak heart (heart failure), have a history of heart attack (myocardial infarction), have a history of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) you are female or elderly or you are taking other medicines that result in abnormal ECG changes (see section: Other medicines and Ciprofloxacin)
- Your skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) light when taking ciprofloxacin. Avoid exposure to strong sunlight, or artificial UV light such as sunbeds.
Other medicines and Ciprofloxacin Tablets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Do not take Ciprofloxacin together with tizanidine, because this may cause side effects such as low blood pressure and sleepiness (See section 2: Do not take Ciprofloxacin).
The following medicines are known to interact with Ciprofloxacin in your body. Taking Ciprofloxacin together with these medicines can influence the therapeutic effect of those medicines. It can also increase the probability of experiencing side effects.
- have ever had kidney problems because your treatment may need to be adjusted
- suffer from epilepsy or other neurological conditions
have a history of tendon problems during previous treatment with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin • have myasthenia gravis (a type of muscle weak-ness) because symptoms can be exacerbated. • are diabetic because you may experience a risk of hypoglycaemia with ciprofloxacin.
Tell your doctor if you are taking:
- Vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin, acenocoumarol, phenprocoumon or fluindione) or other oral anticoagulants (to thin the blood) • probenecid (for gout)
have been diagnosed with an enlargement or “bulge” of a large blood vessel (aortic aneurysm or large vessel peripheral aneurysm).
- methotrexate (for certain types of cancer, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- theophylline (for breathing problems)
have experienced a previous episode of aortic dissection (a tear in the aorta wall).
- tizanidine (for muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis)
have been diagnosed with leaking heart valves (heart valve regurgitation).
- olanzapine (an antipsychotic)
- clozapine (an antipsychotic)
have a family history of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection or congenital heart valve disease, or other risk factors or predisposing conditions (e.g. connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Turner syndrome, Sjögren’s syndrome [an inflammatory autoimmune disease], or vascular disorders such as Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, Behçet’s disease, high blood pressure, or known atheroscle-rosis, rheumatoid arthritis [a disease of the joints] or endocarditis [an infection of the heart]). • or a member of your family is known to have a deficiency in glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), since you may experience a risk of anaemia with ciprofloxacin.
- ropinirole (for Parkinson’s disease)
- phenytoin (for epilepsy)
- metoclopramide (for nausea and vomiting) • cyclosporin (for skin conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and in organ transplantation)
- other medicines that can alter your heart rhythm: medicines that belong to the group of antiarrhythmics (e.g. quinidine, hydroquinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide), tricyclic antidepressants, some antimicrobials (which belong to the group of antiarrhythmics) in the macrolide group), some antipsychotics
- zolpidem (for sleep disorders)
- other drugs that may increase the risk of seizures, such as tramadol, and certain antidepressants belonging to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.)
For the treatment of some genital tract infections, your doctor can prescribe another antibiotic in addition to ciprofloxacin. If there is no improvement in symptoms after 3 days of treatment, please consult your doctor.
While taking Ciprofloxacin Tablets
Ciprofloxacin may increase the levels of the following medicines in your blood:
Tell your doctor immediately, if any of the following occurs while taking Ciprofloxacin. Your doctor will decide whether treatment with Ciprofloxacin needs to be stopped.
- pentoxifylline (for circulatory disorders) • caffeine
- duloxetine (for depression, diabetic nerve damage or incontinence)
- Prolonged, disabling and potentially irreversible serious side effects
- lidocaine (for heart conditions or anesthetic use) • sildenafil (e.g. for erectile dysfunction)
Fluoroquinolone/quinolone antibacterial medicines, including Ciprofloxacin, have been associated with rare but serious side effects, some of them being long lasting (continuing for months or years), disabling or potentially irreversible. This includes tendon, muscle and joint pain of the upper and lower limbs, difficulty in walking, abnormal sensations such as pins and needles, tingling, tickling, numbness or burning (paraesthesia), sensory disorders including impairment of vision, taste and smell, and hearing, mental health effects which may include, but are not necessarily limited to, anxiety, panic attacks, confusion, or depression, memory impairment, severe fatigue, and severe sleep disorders. There are no medicines that have been established as being effective treatments for the symptoms of long lasting or disabling side effects associated with fluoroquinolones. If you experience any of these side effects after taking Ciprofloxacin, then do not take any further doses and contact your doctor immediately. You and your doctor will decide on whether to continue treatment, considering alternative options.
- agomelatine (for depression)
Some medicines reduce the effect of Ciprofloxacin. Tell your doctor if you take or wish to take: • antacids
- omeprazole
- mineral supplements
- sucralfate
- a polymeric phosphate binder (e.g. sevelamer or lanthanum carbonate)
- medicines or supplements containing calcium, magnesium, aluminium or iron
If these preparations are essential, take Ciprofloxacin about two hours before or no sooner than four hours after them.
Ciprofloxacin tablets with food, drink and alcohol
- Severe, sudden allergic reaction (an anaphylactic reaction/shock, angio-oedema). Even with the first dose, there is a small chance that you may experience a severe allergic reaction with the following symptoms: tightness in the chest, chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, sick or faint, or experiencing dizziness when standing up. If this
Size; 150 x 700 mm
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Therefore, ciprofloxacin should be taken either 1-2 hours before or no earlier than 4 hours after dairy products or calcium-rich beverages taken alone away from meals (see also Section 3).
- pains in your muscles and bones, feeling unwell(asthenia), or fever
- increase in blood alkaline phosphatase (a certain substance in the blood)
Pregnancy and breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
It is preferable to avoid the use of ciprofloxacin during pregnancy.
Do not take ciprofloxacin during breast-feeding because it is excreted in breast milk and can be harmful for your child.
Driving and Using Machines
Ciprofloxacin may make you feel less alert. Some neurological adverse events can occur. Therefore, make sure you know how you react to Ciprofloxacin before driving a vehicle or operating machinery. If in doubt, talk to your doctor.
Information on sodium content
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Ciprofloxacin tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
This will depend on the type of infection you have and how bad it is.
Tell your doctor if you suffer from kidney problems because your dose may need to be adjusted.
The treatment usually lasts from 5 to 21 days, but may take longer for severe infections. Take the tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how many tablets to take and how to take Ciprofloxacin.
a. Swallow the tablets with plenty of liquid. b. Do not chew or crush the tablets. If you are unable to swallow the tablet, please tell your doctor so that he can prescribe another medicine that is more suitable for you.
c. Try to take the tablets at about the same time each day.
d. You can take the tablets with meals or between meals. You can take ciprofloxacin tablets during e. meals containing dairy products (such as milk or yogurt) or with calcium-rich beverages (e.g., calcium fortified orange juice). Do not take Ciprofloxacin tablets at the same time as dairy products or with calcium-rich beverages when these dairy products or calcium-rich beverages are taken on their own away from meals. Ciprofloxacin tablets should be taken one to two hours before or no earlier than four hours after dairy products or calcium-rich beverages taken on their own away from meals.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids while you are taking Ciprofloxacin.
If you take more Ciprofloxacin Tablets than you should:
If you take more than the prescribed dose, get medical help immediately. If possible, take your tablets or the box with you to show the doctor.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people):
- inflammation of the bowel (colitis) linked to antibiotic use (can be fatal in very rare cases) (see Section 2: Warnings and Precautions)
- changes to the blood count (leucopenia, leucocytosis, neutropenia, anaemia), increased or decreased amounts of a blood clotting factor (thrombocytes)
- allergic reaction, swelling (oedema), or rapid swelling of the skin and mucous membranes (angio-oedema) (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- increased blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
- decreased blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- confusion, disorientation, anxiety reactions, strange dreams, depression, (potentially leading to thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, or completed suicide) (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions) or hallucinations
- pins and needles, unusual sensitivity to stimuli of the senses, decreased skin sensitivity, tremors, or giddiness
- eyesight problems including double vision (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- tinnitus, loss of hearing, impaired hearing
- rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- expansion of blood vessels (vasodilation), low blood pressure, or fainting
- shortness of breath, including asthmatic symptoms
- liver disorders, jaundice (cholestatic icterus), or hepatitis
- sensitivity to light (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- muscle pain, inflammation of the joints, increased muscle tone and cramping
- kidney failure, blood or crystals in the urine, urinary tract inflammation
- fluid retention or excessive sweating
- increased levels of the enzyme amylase
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
- a special type of reduced red blood cell count (haemolytic anaemia); a dangerous drop in a type of white blood cells (agranulocytosis); (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions) a drop in the number of red and white blood cells and platelets (pancytopenia), which may be fatal; and bone marrow depression, which may also be fatal
- allergic reaction called serum sickness-like reaction (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- mental disturbances (psychotic reactions potentially leading to thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, or completed suicide) (see Section 2: Warnings and Precautions)
- migraine, disturbed coordination, unsteady walk (gait disturbance), disorder of sense of smell (olfactory disorders), pressure on the brain (intracranial pressure and pseudotumor cerebri)
- visual colour distortions
- inflammation of the wall of the blood vessels (vasculitis)
- pancreatitis
- death of liver cells (liver necrosis) very rarely leading to life-threatening liver failure (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- small, pin-point bleeding under the skin (petechiae); various skin eruptions or rashes
- worsening of the symptoms of myasthenia gravis (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
If you forget to take Ciprofloxacin Tablets and are:
- 6 hours or more until the next scheduled dose, take your missed dose immediately. Then take the next dose at your normal time.
- less than 6 hours until the next scheduled dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your normal time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose. Make sure you have completed your treatment.
If you stop taking Ciprofloxacin Tablets:
It is important that you finish the course of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your infection may not be completely cured and the symptoms of the infection may return or get worse. You might also develop resistance to the antibiotic.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Severe allergic reactions can occur very rarely. These can happen after the first dose or even after the treatment has stopped.
The following section contains the most serious side effects that you can recognize yourself:
Stop taking Ciprofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately in order to consider another antibiotic treatment if you notice any of the following serious side effects:
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- Very rare cases of long lasting (up to months or years) or permanent adverse drug reactions, such as tendon inflammations, tendon rupture, joint pain, pain in the limbs, difficulty in walking, abnormal sensations such as pins and needles, tingling, tickling, burning, numbness or pain (neuropathy), fatigue, memory and concentration impairment, mental health effects (which may include sleep disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and suicidal ideation), as well as impairment of hearing, vision, and taste and smell have been associated with administration of quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, in some cases irrespective of pre-existing risk factors.
- Seizure (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
- Severe, sudden allergic reaction with symptoms such as tightness in the chest, feeling dizzy, sick or faint, or experience dizziness when standing up (anaphylactic reaction/shock) (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- Muscle weakness, inflammation of the tendons which could lead to rupture of the tendon, particularly affecting the large tendon at the back of the ankle (Achilles tendon) (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- A serious life-threatening skin rash, usually in the form of blisters or ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes and other mucous membranes such as genitals which may progress to widespread blistering or peeling of the skin (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Unusual feelings of pain, burning tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in the extremities (neuropathy) (see Section 2: Warnings and precautions)
- A drug reaction that causes rash, fever, inflammation of internal organs, hematologic abnormalities and systemic illness (DRESS syndrome i.e. Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, AGEP syndrome i.e. Acute Generalised Exanthematous Pustulosis).
- Chest pain, which can be a sign of a potentially serious allergic reaction called Kounis syndrome.
These are very serious side-effects requiring immediate attention which are potentially life threatening.
Other side effects which have been observed during treatment with Ciprofloxacin are listed below by how likely they are:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- nausea, diarrhoea
- Joint inflammation and joint pain in children
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- fungal superinfections
- a high concentration of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell
- decreased appetite (anorexia)
- hyperactivity or agitation
- headache, dizziness, sleeping problems, or taste disorders
- vomiting, abdominal pain, digestive problems such as stomach upset (indigestion/heartburn), or wind
- increased amounts of certain substances in the blood (transaminases and/or bilirubin)
- rash, itching, or hives
- joint pain in adults
poor kidney function
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data):
- syndrome associated with impaired water excretion and low levels of sodium (SIADH)
- feeling highly excited (mania) or feeling great optimism and overactivity (hypomania)
- abnormal fast heart rhythm, life-threatening irregular heart rhythm, alteration of the heart rhythm (called ‘prolongation of QT interval’, seen on ECG, electrical activity of the heart)
- influence on blood clotting (in patients treated with Vitamin K antagonists)
- loss of consciousness due to severe decrease in blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemic coma). See section 2.
- Fixed drug eruption
Very rare cases of long-term (up to months or years) or permanent side effects of the drug, such as tendon inflammation, tendon rupture, joint pain, pain in the limbs, difficulty walking, abnormal sensations such as pinching, tingling, tickling, burning, numbness or pain (neuropathy), fatigue, impaired memory and concentration; Mental health effects (which may include sleep disturbances, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and suicidal ideation), as well as hearing, vision, taste, and smell disorders, have been associated with the administration of antibiotic quinolones and fluoroquinolones, in some cases independent of preexisting risk factors.
Cases of an enlargement and weakening of the aortic wall or a tear in the aortic wall (aneurysms and dissections), which may rupture and may be fatal, and of leaking heart valves have been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones. See also section 2.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Ciprofloxacin tablets
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
- Blisters: Do not store above 250C. Store in the original package
- Tablet Containers: Do not store above 250C. Keep the container tightly closed.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after {EXP.}. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Ciprofloxacin tablets contain
- The active ingredient is ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride).
- Each tablet contains either 100mg, 250mg, 500mg or 750mg of the active ingredient.
- The other ingredients are maize starch, microcrystallinecellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, purified talc, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide E171.
What Ciprofloxacin tablets look like and contents of the pack
- The 100 mg tablets are white to creamish white round film-coated tablets- debossed “CPR 100” on one side and “BL” on the reverse.
- The 250 mg tablets are white to creamish white round film-coated tablets debossed “CPR 250” on one side and “BL” on the reverse.
- The 500 mg tablets are white to creamish white capsule shaped film-coated tablets debossed “CPR 500” with a breakline one side and “BL” on the reverse.
- The 750 mg tablets are white to creamish white capsule shaped film coated tablets debossed “CPR 750” on one side and “BL”on the reverse. • The tablets come in packs containing 6, 10, 20, 100, 250 or 500 tablets.
- Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Bristol Laboratories Ltd,
Unit 3, Canalside, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1EG, United Kingdom Telephone: 0044 (0)1442 200922
E-mail: info@bristol-labs.co.uk
Ciprofloxacin 100 mg Tablets; PL 17907/0013 Ciprofloxacin 250 mg Tablets; PL 17907/0014 Ciprofloxacin 500 mg Tablets; PL 17907/0015 Ciprofloxacin 750 mg Tablets; PL 17907/0016
This leaflet was last revised in August 2026.
To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio format, please contact the licence holder at the address (telephone or email) above.
V36 31-08-26 D0
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150 mm
