Warnings/Precautions

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ciprofloxacin may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. If sun exposure is unavoidable, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ciprofloxacin may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. Avoid excessive consumption of products that contain caffeine. Ciprofloxacin may increase the effects of caffeine. Ciprofloxacin, administered together with theophylline, can lead to elevated blood levels of theophylline. Theophylline is used to open airways in the treatment of asthma. Toxic levels of theophylline can lead to seizures, and disturbances in heart rhythm. If concurrent use of ciprofloxacin and theophylline cannot be avoided, frequent blood tests to monitor theophylline blood levels are performed. Ciprofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with central nervous system diseases such as seizures, because rare seizures have been reported in patients, receiving this medication. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in children and adolescents under 18 years old, as safe use in these patients have not been established. Many antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage overgrowth of a bacteria, responsible for the development of inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis). Pseudomembranous colitis can cause fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes even shock. Patients taking ciprofloxacin can develop sensitivity of the skin to direct sunlight. Ciprofloxacin can enhance the action of the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin), and increase the risk of bleeding. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in pregnancy, as safe use in these patients have not been established. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in nursing mothers, as safe use in these patients have not been established.