Ciprofloxacin oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ciprofloxacin oral tablet to treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria:

• abdominal infections
• bone and joint infections
• certain types of bladder and urinary tract infections
• respiratory system infections, including sinus infection and plague
• reproductive system infections, including gonorrhea
• skin infections
• typhoid fever

Ciprofloxacin is also used to prevent infection from inhaled anthrax following exposure.

This article describes possible side effects of ciprofloxacin oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for ciprofloxacin. You can explore this overview article to learn more about ciprofloxacin, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. 

Ciprofloxacin oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Cipro. Ciprofloxacin also comes in other forms, including other forms you swallow, eye drops, eye ointment, ear drops, and an injectable form. But those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor. 

Boxed warnings

Ciprofloxacin has boxed warnings about the risks of:

• tendinitis and tendon rupture
• peripheral neuropathy
• central nervous system effects
• worsening myasthenia gravis

A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects of ciprofloxacin in detail” section below. 

More common side effects of ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of ciprofloxacin oral tablet include: 

• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• skin rash
• changes in liver function tests

Mild side effects of ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome. 

Mild side effects of ciprofloxacin oral tablet that occurred in studies include: 

• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• skin rash
• headache
• abdominal pain
• dizziness
• joint pain or stiffness
• muscle weakness
• blurry vision
• mild allergic reaction*

Ciprofloxacin oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information. 

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of ciprofloxacin in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from ciprofloxacin oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with ciprofloxacin.

Serious side effects of ciprofloxacin oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• blood cell problems*
• risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture†
• risk of peripheral neuropathy†
• risk of central nervous system effects†
• risk of worsening myasthenia gravis†
• Clostridioides difficile infection and severe diarrhea
• kidney problems, including kidney failure
• liver problems
• long QT syndrome
• severe sun sensitivity
• severely high or low blood sugar
• severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• severe allergic reaction*

Ciprofloxacin oral tablet may cause more serious side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information. 

* To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of ciprofloxacin in detail” section below.

† Ciprofloxacin oral tablet has a boxed warning for these side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of ciprofloxacin in detail” section below.

Side effects of ciprofloxacin in children

For children, doctors prescribe ciprofloxacin oral tablet to treat the following conditions:

• complicated urinary tract infection in children ages 1 year and older
• anthrax in children of any age
• plague in children of any age

In studies, side effects were more common in children than in adults taking ciprofloxacin. This includes an increased risk for joint pain, among other side effects the drug can cause. 

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking ciprofloxacin oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of ciprofloxacin

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of ciprofloxacin oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long do side effects of ciprofloxacin typically last?

It depends. Most side effects caused by ciprofloxacin are temporary and go away on their own. Ciprofloxacin typically isn’t prescribed long term, and most side effects should go away once treatment ends.

In rare instances, you may develop side effects from taking ciprofloxacin that don’t go away or become severe. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have symptoms that bother you or continue during treatment with ciprofloxacin oral tablet. They can review your symptoms and suggest possible ways to manage them.

Does ciprofloxacin cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases ciprofloxacin oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or they may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with ciprofloxacin oral tablet include:

• risk of worsening myasthenia gravis*
• risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture*
• severe sun sensitivity
• kidney problems, including kidney failure
• liver problems

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of ciprofloxacin may last.

* Ciprofloxacin oral tablet has a boxed warning for these side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of ciprofloxacin in detail” section below.

Coupon for ciprofloxacin

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for ciprofloxacin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of ciprofloxacin in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of ciprofloxacin oral tablet.

Boxed warnings

Ciprofloxacin oral tablet has boxed warnings about the risk of the following serious side effects. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic drug. Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin tablets, can cause serious adverse reactions. Some of these side effects can be disabling and irreversible, even after ciprofloxacin treatment is stopped.

If you experience symptoms of any of the boxed warning side effects below, stop taking ciprofloxacin oral tablet and contact your doctor immediately. If you experience symptoms of serious side effects that feel life threatening, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

Your doctor will likely have you stop taking ciprofloxacin should you develop any of the serious side effects discussed in this section. You also may need immediate care by another healthcare professional. For example, a ruptured tendon may require surgical treatment.

Central nervous system effects

Central nervous system effects from ciprofloxacin may include:

• anxiety
• confusion
• depression
• dizziness
• hallucinations
• severe headaches
• insomnia or nightmares
• psychosis
• seizures
• suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• tremors

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to nerves throughout your body, including your arms, legs, head, and internal organs, that deliver signals to the nerves in your brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy from ciprofloxacin include:

• muscle cramps or weakness
• numbness
• paralysis
• burning, prickling, or tingling sensations
• altered sensations of touch, pain, or temperature
• difficulty walking

Tendinitis or tendon rupture

Tendinitis is inflammation of your tendons that attach muscles to bone. A tendon rupture is a full or partial tear of a tendon that may completely remove the muscle’s connection to a bone.

This side effect most frequently affects the Achilles tendon in the back of your lower leg. But it can occur in tendons elsewhere in your body, including those in the shoulder (rotator cuff tendinitis), upper arm, and hand.

Symptoms of tendinitis or tendon rupture include:

• pain, especially moving the affected body part
• swelling
• loss of mobility and strength
• difficulty walking, if an Achilles tendon ruptures

Tendinitis or a ruptured tendon can occur within hours or days of starting ciprofloxacin oral tablet treatment or as long as several months after you stop taking it.

Worsening myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that affects communication between nerves and muscles in the body that control movement, causing muscle weakness.

In studies, worsening myasthenia gravis was rare in people taking ciprofloxacin oral tablet who already had the condition. This side effect only affects people who already have myasthenia gravis. This side effect may be serious.

The following symptoms have been reported in people with myasthenia gravis who took ciprofloxacin:

• worsened muscle weakness
• difficulty breathing, possibly requiring a ventilator to breathe

In some cases, ciprofloxacin may cause death.

Because of these risks, doctors usually won’t prescribe ciprofloxacin to people with myasthenia gravis. Talk with your doctor to learn more about antibiotics that are safer for you to take instead.

Blood cell problems

In studies, blood cell problems were rare in people taking ciprofloxacin oral tablet. These side effects may be serious.

Blood cell problems reported with ciprofloxacin include:

• low red blood cell count
• low white blood cell count
• low blood platelet level
• agranulocytosis
• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

Blood cell problems usually don’t cause symptoms. They get detected on lab tests ordered by your doctor. Possible symptoms vary depending on the specific blood cell problem. For example, symptoms of TTP include tiny purple or discolored skin spots and bruises, fever, and weakness.

Certain factors can increase the risk of blood cell problems with ciprofloxacin oral tablet. These include currently having a blood cell problem or having had one in the past.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of a blood cell problem, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping the treatment with ciprofloxacin and trying another medication for your infection. They can also suggest another way to treat your blood cell problem.

Allergic reaction

For some people, ciprofloxacin oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. 

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for ciprofloxacin

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking ciprofloxacin oral tablet.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the risk of several serious side effects, including muscle and nerve problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

For details, see the “Side effects of ciprofloxacin in detail” section above.

Other warnings 

It may not be safe for you to take ciprofloxacin oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether ciprofloxacin oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking ciprofloxacin oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• aortic aneurysm
• diabetes
• atypical heart rhythm
• blood cell problem, such as anemia
• low blood potassium
• receiving a kidney, heart or lung transplant in the past
• kidney condition
• liver condition
• mental health condition, including depression
• myasthenia gravis
• tendon problems
• epilepsy or seizure
• joint condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• past allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin and pregnancy 

It’s not known whether ciprofloxacin oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Ciprofloxacin and breastfeeding

Ciprofloxacin oral tablet usually should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin and alcohol

Ciprofloxacin oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

That said, your doctor may recommend avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption while you have an infection. This is because studies have shown even short-term alcohol consumption can weaken your immune system. This can make it harder for your body to fight an infection.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with ciprofloxacin oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of ciprofloxacin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does ciprofloxacin have similar side effects as other antibiotics that could treat my condition?
• What types of exercise are safe for me while I’m taking ciprofloxacin?
• If I can’t avoid sun exposure while taking ciprofloxacin, what strength sunscreen should I use to protect against sun sensitivity?
• Is ciprofloxacin safe for me to take if I have anemia?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.