Cipro Side Effects

by on December 20, 2011

Common Cipro side effects in adults include nausea and diarrhea. In children, common side effects of the drug include nausea, diarrhea and stomach upset. Rarer but more serious side effects of Cipro include fever, chills, flushing and changes in vision.

Common Cipro Side Effects

Both adults and children experience common side effects.  In adults the most commonly reported side effects of Cipro include:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Abnormal liver function
  • Vomiting
  • Rash

Children most commonly experienced the following side effects:

  • General stomach problems
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal
  • Stuffy nose
  • Stomach upset
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Asthma
  • Rash

In both children and adults, diarrhea was one of the most common Cipro side effects. Both children and adults reported rashes as the least common of these particular side effects.

Serious Cipro Side Effects

Ciprofloxacin Side EffectsCipro users are at risk of serious side effects. If any of the following complications arise, patients should immediately seek medical attention:

  • Joint or muscle problems
  • Swelling, pain, bruising or rupture of a tendon
  • Any unusual changes in thoughts or behavior, including depression, confusion or paranoia
  • Fainting
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Watery, bloody or severe diarrhea
  • Burning, numbness, tingling or prickling sensations in limbs, hands or feet
  • Low blood sugar levels if the patient has diabetes
  • Signs of an allergic reaction including hives, itching, swelling of the mouth or throat or difficulty breathing
  • Worsening of myasthenia gravis symptoms, such as muscle weakness and breathing problems
  • Chills
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Changes in vision
  • Changes in hearing
  • Changes in taste

Some of these serious side effects are less common than others. The rarest include changes in vision, hearing or taste, signs of an allergic reaction, chills and flushing.

Patients with Pre-existing Conditions

Patients with certain pre-existing conditions may be at greater risk of side effects.  For instance, conditions such as epilepsy, kidney disease and cerebral arteriosclerosis increase the risk of central nervous system problems and neurological side effects in Cipro users, even after just one dose. If a patient has any of these conditions, therefore, he or she should inform their doctor before taking Cipro.

Other conditions healthcare providers need to be aware of before prescribing Cipro include tendon problems, nerve problems, QT prolongation, low potassium levels in the blood, myasthenia gravis or any allergies.

The majority of Cipro users tolerate the drug quite well, experiencing no side effects. However, as with all other medicines, some patients will develop side effects.