What are the most common side effects of ciprofloxacin?
The most common side effects of ciprofloxacin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Changes in liver function tests
- Skin rash
- Yeast infection (extended-release tablets)
- Swollen nose and throat (extended-release tablets)
- Headache (extended-release tablets)
- Feeling an urgent need to urinate (extended-release tablets)
There may be other side effects of ciprofloxacin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of ciprofloxacin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of ciprofloxacin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Tendon Problems. Tendons are the connectors between your bones and muscles. Problems with tendons can happen in people who are taking ciprofloxacin or who have taken it in the past several months. This can possibly lead to tendon swelling, also called tendonitis, or tearing of the tendon. It is most common with then tendon on the back of your ankle, called the Achilles tendon, but can also happen with other tendons.
Stop using ciprofloxacin and get medical help right away if you develop any tendon pain or swelling.
Nerve Problems. Nerves are the fibers that carry sensations from your body to the brain. Damage to these nerves, called peripheral neuropathy, can happen in people who are taking ciprofloxacin. Stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your healthcare provider if you develop pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.
Mental Effects. Stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your healthcare provider if you develop any signs of mental effects while taking ciprofloxacin, such as the following.
- Hearing, seeing, or sensing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- Feeling unusually suspicious (paranoia)
- Having false or strange thoughts or beliefs (delusions)
- Feeling restless, agitated, anxious, or nervous
- Having memory trouble, feeling confused, or feeling less aware of your surroundings
- Feeling depressed or having suicidal thoughts or actions
- Having trouble sleeping or nightmares
Seizures. Some people who have taken ciprofloxacin have reporting having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.
- Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
- Stiffening of your arms and legs
- Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Falling or losing consciousness
Severe Allergic Reactions. Ciprofloxacin can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using ciprofloxacin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking ciprofloxacin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light colored poop
- Dark colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had swelling or a tear in the large artery that carries blood from the heart, called the aorta. Get emergency help right away if you have sudden symptoms related to this condition, such as chest pain, stomach pain, or back pain.
Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to 2 months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.
- Watery diarrhea
- Diarrhea that does not go away
- Blood in your poop
- Severe stomach cramps
- Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine
Heart Rhythm Changes. Ciprofloxacin may cause a rare dangerous heart rhythm problems called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium, or who take some medicines for other heart rhythm problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as fast or skipping heartbeat.
Joint Problems. Children under 18 years old can develop problems with their joints during and after treatment with ciprofloxacin. Tell your child’s healthcare provider if they develop any joint problems.
Sensitivity to Sunlight. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking certain drugs, including ciprofloxacin. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposing your skin to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these happen.
