Ciprofloxacin (Oral, Injectable)

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that is used to treat urinary tract infections. It also is used to prevent the onset of anthrax in people who have been exposed to this biological hazard. This antibiotic is taken once or twice a day for a period of time in order to kill bacteria and stop infection from returning.

Warnings/Side Effects

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Antibiotics of this class are associated with muscle weakness. In particular, Ciprofloxacin causes tendonitis and tendon ruptures; patients who are over the age of 60 are more likely to have these side effects. Patients who suffer from myasthenia gravis should not take this medication because of the risk of muscle weakness. Myasthenia gravis itself causes muscle weakness; taking Ciprofloxacin while suffering from this condition can cause heart and lung problems because of extreme weakness in the muscles.