How long does Cipro take to work?

Cipro is a brand-name medication that helps treat bacterial infections. It also comes as the generic drug, ciprofloxacin.

Cipro is an antibiotic drug. This means it works by killing bacteria and preventing them from multiplying. Cipro works against many types of bacteria. This includes bacteria that cause infections in the urinary tract, abdomen, skin, prostate, and bone, as well as other types of infections.

Cipro comes in several forms, such as:

• oral tablets
• extended-release oral tablets (Cipro XR)
• a powder that you mix with a liquid to form an oral suspension
• an IV form that you’d only receive from a healthcare professional

Extended release means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

How long does it take to work?

Cipro starts working right away, usually within a few hours of taking it. But it may take 2 to 3 days before you start to see results. For some infections, such as certain bone infections, it may take up to a week before you notice any relief.

For most conditions, you usually continue to take Cipro for a week or two. You might start to feel better before you finish your entire Cipro treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not stop taking Cipro. It’s important to finish the entire treatment to make sure the infection doesn’t come back.

Cipro continues to work in your body for around 20 hours after your last dose. But this may vary based on your Cipro dosage. Your metabolism, age, and body mass may also affect how long Cipro stays in your body after your last dose.

What is the typical Cipro dosage?

Cipro oral tablet comes in three strengths expressed in milligrams (mg):

• 250 mg
• 500 mg
• 750 mg

Cipro oral suspension comes in two strengths expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) :

• 5% (50 mg/ mL)
• 10% (100 mg/ mL)

The typical dosage for Cipro is 250 to 750 mg once every 12 hours for up to 14 days. For diarrhea, your doctor may have you take 500 mg every 12 hours for 5 to 7 days.

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What to avoid when taking Cipro

There are certain things that may delay how quickly Cipro starts to work or affect your body’s ability to absorb Cipro. These include:

• Dairy or calcium-fortified products: Foods like milk and yogurt can bind to Cipro and prevent your body from absorbing it. This can decrease how well Cipro works. To avoid this interaction, try to wait at least 2 hours before and after taking Cipro to drink milk, calcium-fortified juice, or other dairy products.
• Certain mineral supplements: Supplements like calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium can interact with Cipro. These mineral supplements could decrease the level of Cipro in your body. This may cause Cipro to be less effective at treating your condition. To avoid this, wait 2 hours between the time you take these supplements and the time you take Cipro.
• Antacids: Antacids like Tums and Maalox contain certain ingredients that can bind to Cipro and prevent your body from absorbing it. This may decrease how well Cipro works. To avoid this, take Cipro at least 2 hours before you take an antacid, or wait to take the antacid at least 6 hours after taking Cipro.

It is also important to know that Cipro can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to sunlight or light from sunlamps or tanning beds could cause severe sunburns, blisters, or swelling. Try to avoid spending time in direct sunlight. If you need to be in the sun, wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing that covers your skin.

What to expect when taking Cipro

You may notice your symptoms getting better a few days after you start taking Cipro. Talk with your doctor if you do not start feeling better after 2 or 3 days of taking Cipro. Also, let your doctor know if you start to feel worse.

Cipro can cause certain side effects, such as:

• nausea and vomitting
• diarrhea
• upset stomach
• rash

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cipro can also cause more serious side effects, such as:

• liver damage
• nerve problems
• Clostridioides difficile infection (an intestinal infection that can be life threatening)
• severe sunburn
• seizures or tremors
• mood changes
• tearing or swelling of a tendon (the tissue that connects muscle to bone)
• severe allergic reactions
• aortic aneurysms (in people ages 65 years and older)
• severe low blood sugar (in people who have diabetes or are ages 65 years and older)

If you experience any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor as soon as possible.

Due to the possible serious side effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends not to use Cipro as a first-choice of antibiotic for sinus infections, bronchitis, or UTIs. For these conditions, the potential risks of treatment with Cipro outweigh the benefits.

Summary

Cipro is an antibiotic drug that doctors use to treat some types of bacterial infections. This includes UTIs, some skin infections, certain types of bacterial diarrhea, and other conditions.

Cipro comes as an oral tablet that you usually take once or twice per day for 3 days to a few weeks. It usually starts working right away. You may only start to see results after about 2 to 3 days of use.

Certain things, like dairy products, calcium-fortified products, mineral supplements, and antacids, may delay how quickly Cipro starts to work or how well your body is able to absorb Cipro. Healthcare professionals advise to avoid spending an extended amount of time in the sun while taking this medication.

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