There are 1006 ratings for the drug: CIPRO in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for cipro: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

Page: 1  2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11    Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from longest to shortest.

Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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5	Pouchitis of ileo-anal pouch	After 15 years the only side effect I've had is the occasional episode of sore knees for a few days at a time.	I believe it's a wonder drug and if I happen to forget to order a new prescription in time and have a few days without any, I definitely know about it. I believe I will be on this drug for life!	F	48	15 years 500 mg 1X D		5/18/2010 Email
1	UTI	I took Cipro @once a week for 15-20 years, at first as a cure for chronic UTIs, then as a preventative every time I had sex. I developed severe vertigo/dizziness that took me a year to "diagnose" as Meniere's, then vestibulopathy (inner ear balance disorder), and now apparently currently they are UC Med is thinking it is MAV (Migraine Associated Vertigo). After reading up on Cipro I believe it is the Cipro which can cause permanent vestibular damage. I am now on SDI and can barely even watch a TV show without my head spinning. My dog was also given Cipro several times for bladder infections and when I figured this out in March 2009 I threw away her bottle. But voila, a month ago she was jumping up at a bird and ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee. She will never be able to jump again and after having her knee surgically taken apart and repaired, will need 6 months of physical therapy even to go to daycare or dogpark again, if ever.	DO NOT TAKE. EVER. I will never be able to work at the simplest lowest paying job ever again.	F	47	15 years		9/6/2009
3	Pouchitis/Inflammatory Bowel Diseas	yeast infections over growth of yeast not enough friendly bacteria, fatigue		F	31	14 years		6/5/2008
5	Various illnesses	Cipro is the only antibiotic I've found that I'm not allergic to. I've been taking it on and off for over 10 years. I had no idea of the side effects nor did I associate my health problems, both mental and phsycical to taking an antibiotic.	I have had torn tendons in my feet and ankles, neither of which should have happened with the activity taking place. I have had insomnia, depression, anxiety, night sweats, joint and muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, floaters in the eyes, ringing in the ears, etc. I just found out yesterday that all these things are probably related to taking Cipro over the years. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow to find out if it is the root of all my health problems. Google cipro tendon and you'll find extensive research on the side effects. It's overwhelming and you wonder why all these things are not listed when you get a prescription and why doctors are not more aware.	F	45	10 years		7/9/2008
5	recurrent uti	none	have experienced chronic uti since about 13, and have turned to cipro on and off since then (am presently 19), on a self-set regimen of 2, 125mg doses immediately after noticing symptoms and about 12 hours later, with much success. I have never actually been prescribed this drug, but rather I (albeit illegally) use my mother's supply (with her consent--she has been using it longer than I). UTI is one of the most crippling and awful conditions and is also one of the only drugs my mother and I have ever seen such thorough and rapid success with. If you're willing to take a chance, give cipro a try, but remember since it is such a strong drug, dont necessarily trust the dosages your doctors recommend. My mother was initially recommended a 250mg, twice daily dose for 7 days at every instance of UTI, which is ridiculous.	F	19	6 years		10/3/2005 Email
1	to prevent infection	I have headaches , loss of appitite,hearing loss,eye pain,blurred vision,sleep problems,hives,breathing problem;s,insominia,joint stiffness,muscle pain,pain if extermeties,jaw pain,arm's,leg's back,chest pain,flare's of gout, respitory problems, severe skin rash, seizure's, easy brusing,easy bleder, mental confusion, This is most but not all of the problem's I have had since i got put on Cipro 6 year's ago 500 mg daily.	I am so hurt that a comaony would allow a drug to be so harmful to people and to be put so much pain and suffering	F	50	6 years		7/10/2008 Email
5	Crohn's Disease	None! I took this medication for 5 years and it really helped put my Crohn's Disease in remission in combination with other meds. I really don't know what everyone is talking about. I guess it's maybe an allergic reaction. I had aches, fatigue, and all that before I took Cipro and am now back on 500 mg twice a day and am feeling so much better.	This drug can really help a lot of people. Don't let all these comments keep you from at least trying it.	F	27	5 years		1/29/2009
1	Anxiety and depression	Numbness, depression, suicidal tendencies, undeveloped sex drive	I was prescribed Paxil several years ago at the age of 12 after being diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. Subsequently, I was unable to go through puberty properly until I was taken off of the drug at the age of 17, and despite that I was prescribed this drug to help with my depression, I often had suicidal thoughts during the 5 years I was taking it. I would not recommend this drug to ANYONE, it is very dangerous (at least in my opinion it is).	F	21	5 years		1/17/2008
2	UTI	not many symptoms, but i feel it never works well in getting rid of all the bacteria. after my run of Cipro, i end up back at a doctor for another med to compleyely fix me. the infection always seems to reoccur with cipro.	i have better luck with Bactrim.	F	24	4 years		12/6/2005
1	Crohn's	dizziness, lethargy, deteriorated memory, nervousness, depersonalization, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, anxiety, withdrawl, restlessness, agitation, deterioration of mental alertness and quickness, depression	I have taken this drug for 4 years straight (500mg/day) as a maintenance measure against Crohn's disease. The drug has effectively treated the Crohn's and, for the first 2 years, had tolerable side effects that had only minor impact on day to day life. In the last 2 years, I have seen major deterioration in my health as a result of taking this drug. I have worked as a professional for 15 years using my mental abilities and I am now unable to work due to diminished mental capacity. The person I have become as a result of taking Cipro represents a total change from the person I used to be. I would like to hear from others who have been long term users of Cipro to determine if they have had similar experience.	M	40	4 years		11/8/2006 Email
2	UTI	Depression and extreme leg pain		F	69	2 years		6/11/2009
5	prostatitis	I died and was turned into a zombie. Extreme feelings of dread. Horrible breath. Rotted flesh. Strong desire to eat brains.	You people are whacked. I've taken Cipro off and on for over a year for chronic prostatitis...occasional soreness in tendons, mild upset stomach. Can you say HYPOCHONDRIA?	M	40	1 years		12/29/2008
1	Prostatitis	Anxiety attacks. Suicidal thoughts. Lightheadedness. Headache. Muscle aches. Mild nausea. Tiredness.	I have been taking Cipro (generic) on and off--mostly on--for over a year. It clears up the symptoms, but they come back a few weeks after I stop. My physician has not been able to get a positive urine culture, so doesn't know what bacterium is to blame. I'm stopping again today and if the symptoms return will demand a different drug, as the anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and lightheadness have become excessive.	M	64	1 years		5/7/2007
5	proctitis, post-resection	Muscle soreness	Without Cipro, I am basically disabled. I get painful rashes only Nystatin will take care of, and the anus and rectum are inflamed enough that I have to "go" every 20 minutes. Combined with the rash and constriction due to inflammation, I am in pain and unable to work most of the day. The choice is simple: Cipro, or Naproxen Sodium + Clortrimazole/Nystatin + Lanacaine + Immodium. People need to read up on anything they are taking - every person is different, and your doctor has no way of knowing how it will affect you. Yet.	M	35	24 months		1/14/2010
5	severe mycobacterial hand infection	I have been on a odessey for the last 15 months fighting a double hand infection after accidentally impailing myself with a screwdriver. 8 weeks of IV (5x/day -amicacin; immipenin); two surgeries and the current daily dose of 1500 mg of cipro since 8/09 along with 1000 mg biaxin an 1600 mg bactrim. I will be getting off these drugs 12/13 and am counting the days. Don't like to talk about almost losing my life to microbes but am grateful for an outstanding ID doctor and these meds. I don't let myself thing too much about the (thank god) minor side effects. Its scary to think about our future where these medicines will become ineffective due to overuse. I had no choice to poison my body for so long but can tell you I would never take cipro for a sore throat or other minor ailment where there are alternatives. I had strong joint pain early on that has become less of an issue. I try to exercise everyday as it really helps. Insomnia has been a problem since day one and need 1/2 a		M	51	14 months		11/14/2009
1	sinus infection	stiff joints, severe knee, heel, elbow and lower back pain.	I was given Cipro for a sinus infection, I had surgery to remove a obstruction that had blocked my left sinus, they tried everything bractrim, serveral other antiboitics to clear up the severe infection I had. Last resort was Cipro,and unforturnately I had to have serveral doses of it three weeks at a time as the infection was reacurring. I have to say it did finely clear up the infection but I'm paying for it now, feel like I went from the frying pan into the fire sometimes. I think the damage to my body is done. I've been in pain for a very long time. Would not recomend taking Cipro to anyone. I've had severe pain in my left knee for over a year and a half, the orthopedic surgeon has givin me cortizone shots and it helps with the pain.	F	51	6 months		1/7/2010 Email
5	Chronic UTI and heavy periods	My doc gave me these meds on and off for a few months, and they helped me, everytime i get a UTI I take cipro and the UTI goes away in 2 days, I also take it during my heavy periods, it stops the bleeding and clotting. I know not eveyone can take this medicine, BUT in the begginning i did get dizzy, and tired, but that was all.		F	28	5 months		9/4/2005
4	Q-Fever	Following a very long diagnostic process it was finally determined that I have Q-Fever. I was prescribed Cipro and Doxycylin together and after 4 months of treatment my antibody titer's are almost back to normal. In the last month I developed severe pain in my pinky toe going about 1/3 of the way down the side of my foot and severe knee pain. I feel like a 30 year old women with 80 year old knees. I told my doctors and they decided to take me off of the Cipro. Although I have experienced a lot of other minor side effects I don't know which medication is causing them - extremely oily skin and hair, easily fatigued, headaches, frequent colds, RLS, weird sleeping inconsistencies.	I have not noticed an improvement in 3 weeks and I am wondering if my knees and foot will get better. Since I have been off of the Cipro I have also started breaking out like a teenager all over my face and neck (and I am still on the Doxycylin which is used to treat acne).	F	30	4 months		11/12/2007 Email
2	Prostatitis	Increasing problems with muscle & nerve twitching; painful joints; nevousness etc.	Scary experience, took some time to figure out what caused the simptoms	M	41	4 months		11/15/2001
2	UTI	headache, severe heartburn, stomach pain	this medicine does not help!! i've been taking cipro and other antibiotics for a severe uti that I've had on and off for a few months. The medicine has not helped me. I'm really worried. I started feeling severe stabbing pains by my belly button the other day...it was so bad i thought it was my appendix. Yesterday, I've had severe heartburn. I feel so sick. I figure this must be due to the antibiotics. I have muscle pain...my neck hurts and my upper back hurts. I've been crying because NOTHING is helping me. Of course I have a yeast infection because of all this antibiotics. my breasts even hurt sooo badly!!! but the worst is this heartburn. has anyone else experienced horrible heartburn on cipro??	F	28	3 months 500 2X D		7/9/2010 Email
1	Prostate Pain	My doctor gave cipro to take for three months for chronic prostate pain. He said it could`nt hurt anything! This is in 1999. No problems until I finished the drug. Right after finishing the 3 month course I started vomiting with diarrhea.I have not been able to go for more than a few months without this happening! I have gone from 200lbs to a 170lbs. I have not been able to put the weight back on, because if i eat to much I get sick. I also have had severe joint pain in my ankles, knees,shoulders and inside of my elbows. The drug did not help my prostate problem. I now have chronic yeast infection because of the drug. I found a book titled "Healthy Digestion the Natural Way" it has been very helpful. After taking Garlic Extract,Glutamine,NAC,Alpha Lipoic Acid and Grapefruit Seed Extract(NutriBiotic Defense Plus) the pain in my prostate is mostly gone!(Such a relief) I now have to be very careful about what I eat. No sugar at all!	I`m very sorry I took the drug. It has ruined my life! I would love to see the makers of this drug sued right into Hell! Plus doctors need to learn how dangerous the drugs they prescribe are. Some of them don`t have a clue.	M	55	3 months		9/29/2006
1	chronic bacterial prostatitis	Severe calf muscle damage in both legs.		M	50	3 months		8/14/2007
4	pseudomonas chest infection	tendonitis, indigestion, itchy rash, loss of taste, sore ulcerated tongue	Cipro is the only oral antibiotic that combates Pseudomonas. I can tolerate it for 2-3 weeks but have been taking it for 8weeks now and can't stand it any longer. If it has not worked by now, then it is not going to.	F	56	2 months		11/1/2008
1	Abdominal surgery	I am writing this on behalf of my wonderful, loving cousin, who was a great husband and father. He took his own life on Thursday, 5-31-07.	Avoid at all costs. There will be a special level in hell for big pharma.	F	48	2 months		6/5/2007
2	Prostatis	Burning muslces, insomnia, twitiching, muscle pain, and a freezing sensation around the nose and mouth caused by an interaction with Flonase.	DO NOT take this medication if you do not have to. It is almost worse than the disease itself.	M	23	1 months		5/16/2007
1	food poisoning	Extreme weekness, to the point of being unable to carry school books or walk to my university classes, acompanied by full body pain upon movement. I can't drive safely. I can't work. Cipro made me into an invalid (temporarily?). I have to stay at my parent's house since I can no longer take care of myself. Were it not for them, I would probably become a street person or die. Cognition was also adversely affected requiring taking an "incomplete" on a final exam. My dad had to write this for me, since the tendons in my hands hurt too much to type. I am unable to walk more than to bathroom and kitchen. I went to a new doctor that has also had cipro posioning, and he gives me hope for a full recovery. I am loosing weight since I have little interest in food (hurts too much to walk to kitchen). To prevent pain, I remain bedridden and still. I am sleeping 16 to 18 hourse a day. I worry about my heart, but so far I haven't detected any arrhythmias. Tendonitis and joint p	I think cipro and perhaps all fluoroquinolone antibiotics (those that contain flourine as an active ingredient) should be taken off the market; since the side effects for me were totally disproportionate to the benefits gained, particularly in light of the fact (so I recently learned) that "food poisoning" rarely requires any drug treatment. I had a friend that was sick with food poisoning at the same time as me and she did not take any drugs and she is well now. Going to the doctor's office is like playing Russian Roulette, considering the variety of toxic drugs that they can dispense. I am totally frustrated with medical doctors and their posions, and need to find a good naturopathic physician to care for me.	F	31	1 months		8/24/2007
1	Crohn's	Depression (I was also on prednisone which also has that side effect, and that probably made my depression a lot worse), Yellowing of skin, extreme sensitivity to sunlight, insomnia, fast heartbeat, muscle pain, extreme nausea (I was on a lot of drugs with this side effect; that probably made it worse)	My Crohn's symptoms only got worse while taking it. It can cause diarrhea that is watery or bloody. I wouldn't take it again. It doesn't seem safe to me. I think doctors need to do a better job about informing patients about side effects. That's their job.	F	20	1 months		7/14/2008
1	UTI - Helicobacter Pylori	Tendonitis, twitching, burning all over , joint pain, visual impairment, tinitus , stomach disorders , headaches , chest pain	This is a pernicious drug, do not take it, whatever the doctor says. It has ruined over 3 years of my life	M	65	12 weeks		2/2/2009
1	Bartonella henselae (tick disease)	Muscle, tendon, bone(?) pain all over body. (7 out of 10 level) Lessening of mental acuity. Started right after first day, continued to get worse (for 6 weeks) and has not let up to any substantial degree even almost 2 months stopping. This is a VERY serious drug with long lasting sequelae for many people! Think twice. Then think again.	There are many class action suits filed against this drug, esp. after the anthrax scare. You can google it and find many serious allegations about it.	F		9 weeks		12/19/2005 Email
1	Acute diverticulitis	Within hours of the first dose, I had severe pain in the left elbow. The physician who'd prescribed the drug told me that it couldn't possibly be drug-induced. Within weeks, I suffered from debilitating joint pain in tendons of both elbows and right wrist. Off work for four months. Two years later, pain is manageable but not fully resolved.	Product appeared to be effective for the purpose it had been prescribed.	M	51	8 weeks		4/24/2009
1	Prostatitis	severe aching in wrist,ankle and knee joints; numbness in fingers and toes Also-Nausea throughout the course of taking this stuff	----active and work out on regular basis--seems to have made pain worse while taking this garbage. Will side effects go away?	M	48	7 weeks		11/22/2004
3	pseudomonas aeroginosa	slight dizziness at times, random pains all over my body, arthritis type symptoms in my knees. (Pain, limited ability to bend my knees, crunching sounds in my knees, and swelling)	I have been off the Cipro for a few weeks, but still experiencing bad knee problems. My doctor says I have osteoarthritis and doesn't think it's related to the Cipro, but I have never had ANY problems with my knees until I took Cipro and suddenly woke up one morning and could barely walk. I KNOW it's Cipro related.	F	54	6 weeks		5/10/2008 Email
1	urininary tract infection	severe bilateral tendinitis; Residual muscle pain and weakness--is the latter a side effect?		F		6 weeks		1/1/2002
1	infected appendix	burning pain, almost like electric charges down both sides of my legs--found out later was nerves. I had serious plantar fascitis after as well, which is also tendon problem but not sure that was caused by cipro. The burning pain has gradually gone away but 6 years later I still have symptoms	Might work for many but patients need to be aware of side effects. My doctor said it would go away but 6 years seems excessive and I still have symptoms	F	60	6 weeks		7/13/2006
1	Chronic Prostatis	Auditory Hallucinations, Delirium of Guilt, Thought broadcasting (Feeling that my thoughts are being broadcasted on TV) Running commentry of my thoughts being given by people around me, Feeling of not trusting others, suspicious of close relative poisoning me, feeling of hidden cameras monitoring me, feeling that your coleagues are in league to harm you.	TOXIC PSYCHOSIS OR CIPROFLOXACIN-INDUCED ACUTE PSYCHOSIS IS KNOWN TO OCCUR IN WHATEVER PERCENTAGE, BUT WHEN IT OCCURES TO YOU PERCENTAGE DOES NOT REALLY MATTERS. I WAS WRONGLY DIAGNOSED AS SCHIZOPHRENIA AND WAS UNJUSTLY TREATED WITH VARIOUS ANTIPSYCHOTICS AND ECTs FOR 6 WEEKS UNTILL I RECOVERED BY STOPPING ALL MEDICATION.	M	45	6 weeks		7/8/2007 Email
1	uti	Depression, suicidal, anxiety, panic attacks, photosensitivity, heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, loss of sex drive, profuse sweating, insomnia, migraines, impulsiveness, feeling out of it, feeling apathetic and not caring about anything, memory loss, hard to concentrate, extreme dry eye, red eyes, weird eye problems, yellow skin, skin rash, muscle pain, weakness, extreme fatigue, trouble swallowing, embarrassing twitches,	DO NOT TAKE THIS!!! AFTER STOPPING CIPRO SIDE EFFECTS STILL PERSIST TO THIS DAY. IT IS NOT SAFE. SHAME ON ANY DOCTOR WHO PRESCRIBES THIS AND SHAME ON THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY TOO.	F	24	5 weeks		8/14/2008
3	prostatitis	headache, ear ringing, muscle aches in calves, quads, foot arc, joint pain in wrists knees ankles elbows, nightmares	went to see the doc gave me 2 weeks of cipro almost got rid of the prostatitis went back he gave me another 2 weeks and it was gone within 2 days. kept taking the meds just to be sure. I saw this website and stopped taking them on the 27th day. 4 days later calves started hurting progressively getting worse each day. spread to quads feet and arms. joints started to hurt shortly then after. I don't want to do anything in fear of breaking myself... i do stretches everyday to loosen everything up and hopefully start a healing process... also looking into other supplements such as glucosamine sulfate, fish oil and chondroitin. i did not have any symptoms at anytime while taking the medication. Was playing intense soccer and did not feel any pain whatsoever. went to the doc to talk about symptoms said i was probably reading too much and there wasnt any damage... sure feels like it no doubt its the cipro	M	19	4 weeks 500mg 2X D		2/11/2010
2	Suspected prostatitis	Pains in legs (behind knees), upper arms, ankles and wrists	I think the infection has been cured, but the pains are ongoing (albeit improving) four plus weeks after finishing taking Cipro. I suspect alot of the pain is caused by anxiety and depression (triggered by drug) - now taking seroxat.	M	49	4 weeks		4/27/2009
1	prostate infection	torn right bicep and torn achilles tendon...both occuring approx. 1 month after completing treatment regimen	i am 69 years old and should never been prescribed this drug	M	69	4 weeks 500mg 1X D		7/20/2010
5	Pouchitis/Crohn's	Knee and hip pain. Mild insomnia.	After trying other drugs which did not help, the symptoms went away 24 hours after starting CIPRO. I would definitely take it again despite the side effects.	F	46	3 weeks		10/21/2004
4	respiratory infection	anxiety, depression, exhaustion	Well, I have Cystic Fibrosis so I tend to get an occasional respiratory infection. I have taken cipro many times before and it always helps to clear my infection. I am surprised to see that people have so many problems, however, I always have anxiety, mild depression, get angry so easily and I feel exhausted when taking this drug. The best part is that for me- it's worth it! The infection goes away, I finish the prescribed course, and then everything returns to normal. (of course I do feel bad that I was short-tempered with my family). I think people should understand that side effects happen-take it from someone who takes a lot of medication. It's just up to that person to determine whether the expected outcome is worth it.	F	19	3 weeks 750 mg 2X D		4/18/2010
1	infected gallbladder	dizziness, nausea, confusion, extreme fatique, depression, emotional instability, blurred vision, inability to concentrate, increased anxiety and sweats.	It has cleared up the infection (which was raging)and has allowed for my gallbladder surgery to be done and for that Im grateful but I really must say that the side effects are absolutely horrible and at times unbearable. I found it VERY much an effort to continue with this course of medication as with each passing day the side effects seemed to intensify. It really was a nightmare!I would not take it again unless it was absolutely necessary.	F	42	3 weeks		11/20/2005
1	cdiff infection	Rash on face, sexual side effects, loss of sex drive, panic attacks, mania, anxiety, problems concentrating and remembering, confusion, constant vomiting, migraines, heart palpitations, seizures, tremors in hands, dizziness, depression, red eyes, blurred vision, change in vision, eye pain, dry eyes, hyperpigmentation, pain in back, neck, and chest, numbness in feet, joint pain, weakness, fatigue, sweating all over, insomnia, burning and itchy skin all over.	It's hard to believe a drug could be so terrible. How is this even approved for use? I know it now finally has a black box warning, but it really should be banned completely.	F	30	3 weeks		8/22/2008
1	UTI	severe inflammation in all of my major joints, migrating around the body and ending up in my shoulders, arms, and hands. I couldn't sleep more than 15 minutes at a time because it felt like I was being stabbed in the shoulders every time I moved even slightly. It finally messed up my hands (I am a professional pianist) and today was the first time in over four months that I have felt like I might get over this eventually.	I took this for a UTI for a week, then about a month later for two more weeks because the infection came back. About six weeks later I had two cortisone shots to the knee and a week later woke up one day with all my joints on fire. Every move I made resulted in pain all over my body. I have suffered for four months now. The medical doctors won't cop to it being a CIPRO reaction (one has even suggested that I have rheumatoid arthritis), but my chiropractor, acupuncturist and reiki therapist all believe that it is. They are the only relief I have gotten at all from this, and I am experiencing it as a poison that I have to slowly let pass through my body. I think in another month or two it will be totally gone. I teach college, but if I had been a blue-collar worker, I would have been out of work four months ago. I've been living on NSAIDS and turmeric extract since it started, and I am not going to take autoimmune-suppressing steroids. I firmly believe that this drug is BAD NEWS.	M	57	3 weeks		1/19/2009
5	Urinary tract infection	I really have not noticed any side affects.		F	75	2 weeks		9/23/2008 Email
5	Prostatitis	dry mouth	I was placed on Cipro for two weeks because several weeks of Doxycycline Hyclate did nothing to help my infected and enlarged prostate. The day I started the Cipro, I read almost every comment on this page, and became paranoid that I would have similar side effects until I spoke to other people who took it (including my father) with no side effects. The truth is that I experienced no side effects whatsoever, save for my mouth being dry (yet not uncomfortably) more than usual when I woke up. I slept great, no noticeable stomach problems, no hallucinations, no feeling tired or foggy headed. Been off the cipro for a week, my infection is gone and I'm feeling good. My advice: Don't drink milk or consume dairy products, don't take vitamins or consume anything with a lot of iron, zinc or magnesium, don't consume ANY caffeine or chocolate, and drink as much water as possible daily. The most serious side effects I've come across on this page seem to represent less than 1% of the millions	M	30	2 weeks		10/17/2007
4	inner ear infection	none	Cleared up an inner ear infection when no other medication would.	F	31	2 weeks		7/6/2005
3	UTI?, Hepatitis, epidydimitis?	Dizziness,eyeballs were sore,shortness in breathe,mouth peeling,joint pain(knees)pain in my kidney, testicle, and upper back, i also experienced a burning sensation in my pelvic girdle. It did clear up the jundice and/or bladder infection.	My side effects were not severe at all and if i had to i would probably take it again. but i dont want my body to become immune to antibiotics! it won't be my only means of recovery.	M	24	2 weeks		10/14/2007 Email
2	Epidydimytis	Nausea, cramping, loose bowels, occasional diarrhea. Post-treatment antibiotic-related colitis.	After my second dose of Cipro, the nausea, loose bowels/diarrhea, and cramping hit me. The doctor couldn't give much advice except that the symptoms are normal and to continue the course of treatment if I wanted to get rid of the infection. I continued to have these symptoms throughout the course of treatment. Two days after taking the last dose, the symptoms came back in full force in the form of antibiotic-related colitis and as a result, I was down for three days with cramping, etc. All in all Cipro cured the infection, but now, over 1 1/2 months later, I'm still having occasional bouts of colitis and as a result having to treat the symptoms of this as well. If I get this infection again, I certainly will not be taking Cipro for it and will consult with my doctor about taking an alternative antibiotic.	M	25	2 weeks		4/29/2007
1	sinus infection	hair loss, joint pain, bone pain, muscle twitching, horrible insomnia, loose wrinkled thin skin, bloated abdomen, total loss of appetite, indigestion, breathlessness, hand tremors, depression, floaters, blurred vision, sensitivity to cold	PLEASE DO NOT TAKE A FLUOROQUINOLONE ANTIBIOTIC. I really feel that taking an anthrax drug for a sinus infecttion has totally, totally ruined my life. Since May, I have had $12,000.00 in lab tests done. All results negative. Have been to PCP, GYN, two rheumatologists and a pancreatic surgeon. They say they have "tested me out." They have collectively decided to throw me to the first available endocrinologist. I was first diagnosed with serum sickness 21 days after first cipro pill. Went to PCP with face swollen and joints wobbly. She says it was from the blood pressure meds I had been taking for 2 years, couldn't possibly be the Cipro! Wanna bet? And since then, the hellish nightmare that has become my life started. Besides all the physical symptoms, there is the constant awareness that I have no peace, no enthusiasm, no happiness and worst of all, no hope. I wonder how well the drug company executives sleep. I bet they have no trouble eating or doing the most mu	F	52	2 weeks		12/12/2007
1	swollen/embedded folicle (derm)	Crippled my knees. Bedridden 2 months. Physical therapy 2 months. Cannot kneel, continued pain/limitations since perscribed last August '05	There should be legal warning printed on all drugs, listing all possible side-effects to watch for, as well as clear warning of any potential gambles that one takes with drugs like cipro.	F	50	2 weeks		6/8/2006 Email
1	Kidney infection	Took Cipro for two weeks in 1992(one week i.v./one week by pill). Now I experience Myoclonic seizures (jerky spasms) unless I take phenobarbitol once a day.		F	32	2 weeks		10/30/2001 Email
1	Prophylaxis (on radiation days)	I was having brachytherapy treatment for endometrial cancer and took Cipro 250 mg twice a day on radiation treatment days. Had 5 brachytherapy treatments over 2 weeks. First symptoms started the day after my last radiation. I've been having severe generalized bone, muscle and joint pain. Worse areas are my shoulders and knees. After 12 days, my doctor ran some tests which showed an elevated ESR and liver function tests. My symptoms obviously has gone worst, most especially at night. My internist think it is just arthritis. My Radiation-Oncology doctor, who prescribed Cipro, thinks that my probability of having adverse reaction from Cipro is very low considering that I am only 49 years old. My Gyn-Oncologist look at me as if I'm losing my mind. My Rheumatologist diagnosed me with "adhesive capsulitis" and recently won't even answer my calls or respond to my e-mail. Very frustrating, when everybody seem to run away from you and think that you are fabricating all these sy	I know this medication has helped a lot of people with their infection, but the adverse reaction is so debilitating. Health care providers (doctor's, nurses, physician assistants,pharmacists, etc....) need to me more educated about this medication.	F	49	2 weeks 250 mg 2X D		4/16/2010
1	staph infection of skin	I noticed a tingling feeling all over my body,slightly sharp pains on my feet ankle and sometimes back. I also became paranoid after I woke up from nightmares. What sucks is, i had no choice but to take this because of a bacteria growning on the side of my face.		F	32	2 weeks 500mg 2X D		4/5/2010
1	Dr's orders	Large red rash on face, blisters, permanently damaged the skin on my face. Tiredness. Joint pain. Depression.	A worthless drug.	M	23	2 weeks 1X D		5/6/2010
1	skin infection	severe all over body pain, joint pains, depression, muscle pains	I took cipro about 18 months ago and had some aweful symptoms, much like the ones you are describing. I tried several treatments to get better. You will be glad to know I am better now, so keep positive, it will pass. Here's a list of things that helped me 1) Find the best accupuncturist you can find and explain what happened to you. He or she will then treat your liver and kidneys intensively. The liver toxicity is the main cause for the tendon problems. 2) Simultaniously try and find a very good sports physiotherapist. He or she will treat your muscles and tendons. Traditional, Thai yoga was also very helpful to sort out some very painful areas in the neck, back and tendons. 3) Try colonic irrigation. This will try to clear out any remaining toxins in your system. Also take active biocultures 4) Try taking a zinc suppliment and some calcium rich food that will help to mop up any resudial cipro 5) Get advice on herbal products -"boswellia" and "devils claw" can help 6) Try taking Siberian ginseng (comes as a tincture - which you can mix with fruit juice) which is a great adaptogenic (means it gently fine tunes your system that has been disturbed) 7) Have good healthy clean food 8) Get yourself a regime so you can treat youself easily. I have been through this, so I know how hard it can be....but all will be well in the end.	M	35	2 weeks 500 1X D		5/8/2010 Email
1	Prostatitis	loss of sight, couldn't fucus, brain fog, sickness lost use of legs, spasmin, increased blood pressure, rash, swelling, aching, sore joints, muscle wastage.	NEVER take this i was an hour away from having a seizure and possible tendon ruptures i had an allergic reaction yesterday and am now on anti-histamines i still can;t walk properly, my legs feel weak i cant control how they move, they jolt and twitch. i play bass guitar and have extremely muscular hands fingers and wrists. i now struggle to open bottles or move my office chair and my fingers are nothing but skin and bone. i have headaches... momentary relapses of double vision and brain fog despite not taking any more doses. i have pulpatations and after all that my test results show i didnt even have bacterial prostatitis in the first place... very dangerous stuff... the company has had law suits against this drug on countless occasions but they are still producing it. my dad also had milder versions of my side-effects. i would NOT recomend this to ANYONE! feel free to e-mail me with the button on the right if you are worried or want any info. i can give a full account of what happened to help you spot effects early because it happenes very suddenly and i almost went into shock!!	M	19	2 weeks unknown 2X D		2/18/2010 Email History
1	ear mastoid	side effects just found this out,,in 2000 i had to take cipro years after taking cipro this poison.. oral & 10 days intervenes,,,i live in so much pain ..elbows knees neck all my body & most of all my MIND,, yes it did cure my mastoid but was it the right drug to give me,, i though after being poisoned by cipro i was just getting old & that part of life,,((I was so wrong)),,cipro is why,,i have read most of all the experiences with cirpo,, no one seems to have taken as much cipro as I've had mass amounts of it total saturated... total poisoned from it..since i had cipro my elbows & wrist had been operated on..i was misdiagnose because of cripo,,my doctors did know my pain was cause from cirpo neither did i..also for the last 6-years I've had cortisone shots & cortisone pills for the pain. i am total shocked from what i have read,, only in life or deaf situation should cipro poison be used..	WARNING do not take this poison cipro only if your life is on the line side effects pain rest of your life FDA needs to band cirpo from the public again only if your life is on the line	M	50	2 weeks		7/18/2008 Email
1	E-Coli infection	very sore shoulders and ankles for up to six months. Hallucinations, sensitivity to light, spaciness, complete forgetfulness (would forget where I was, who I was, where i was going, drive miles and miles when I was supposed to be going to work, forget where I worked), EXTREME nightmares. ALL of this lasted six months. It has been four years since I took this drug and sometimes when I have a glass of orange juice all the symptoms come rushing back, it's weird. Complete intolerance to alcohol and caffeine that have lasted for years. Intolerance to Chlor-Trimeton? and many other medications that influence GABA for any reason. Anxiety, Panic Attacks, the list goes on and on. Wasn't there something else they could have given me? I almost think it would have been better to go with a sulfur based drug that was not quite as effective than give up six months of my life and live with these side effects years and years later! I used to laugh at people with anxiety thinking it was all in their hea	After I took this, I completely lost my mind. I was a healthy, 20-something professional whose life was destroyed after taking this drug. I went from having virtually no allergies or sensitivities to being light sensitive, many allergies (some previous such as animals), cannot tolerate alcohol anymore (I believe this drug cross the Blood brain barrier and can have an effect on GABA), well, I guess it's easier to list the things this drug did not screw up, such as my liver and possibly my heart, although I have started having panic attacks as the latest in a long line of years of symptoms all present after this drug.	F	32	2 weeks		3/31/2009
1	Chest congestion	pain in legs, back, neck, tendonitis. cramping in my feet and arms.	Do not take this drug, it has been 5 months now, and I have not recovered. The doctors treat you like you're nuts. This drug has ruined my life and I am afraid I will never recover. There should be a class action lawsuit against this company. No one should be allowed to dispense drugs that have the power to destroy your life. This drug will cripple you do not take it	F	53	2 weeks		3/14/2008 Email
1	first sinusitis, then UTI	joint pain throughout my body; shoulders, knuckles swollen, toe joints, hips, weakened both ankles, prone to falling.	I had been going to the gym 4 times a week and was strong. I started having joint pain everywhere and did not know about this being a side effect. Went to doctor who ran blood tests and were negative for whatever they looked for. Months to clear the joint pain. Couldn't go to gym. Painful when sitting, laying down to sleep. Cleared up after 6 months of no activity. Did not know Cipro was the cause until I started a new course. One day later: shoulder pain, day two, hip pain . Thanks Doc.	F	50	2 weeks		12/18/2009 Email
1	infection	Large red rash on face, depression, nausea, watery diarrhea		M	32	2 weeks		1/12/2010
1	possible prostate infection	WEIRD SCARY THOUGHTS, DEEEEP DEPRESION, MOOD SWINGS, HORRIBLE HORRIBLE ANXIETY ATTACKS, DAYS WITHOUT SLEEP, I FREAKIN QUIT MY JOB BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS, ( THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD THEY ALLOWED ME TO COME BACK AND HAVE LEAVE TIME ), I USED TO WIEGH 182 NOW IM DOWN TO 163 (IVE HAD NUMEROUSE EXAMS AND THEY ARE ALL CHECKING OUT FINE PRAISE GOD!). SORE KNEES, ( BENT DOWN ONCE AND HAD TO REALLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO GET UP ). BUT THE WORSTE WAS THE MENTAL SIDE, ONLY GOD CAN KEEP YOU THROUGH AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS, I PRAISE GOD! FOR KEEPING ME IN ALL THIS,	its been about 2 months since ive taken this stuff. before then i was having urinating issues ( stop and go ) . so the doctor prosscribed me this horrible drug. they gave me 28 pills. and i was to take 2 a day and come back to see him after i finished..well it goes with out saying i could not go through with the advise...about 3 pills into the bottle i started having wierd moments of constant negative thoughts, these morbid thoughts lead to a depression i cant describe!!!, nights without sleep!!, then the anxiety attacks started!!!!, i took this med for about 2 weeks of and on ( i missed a day here and there, but i ended up taking 20 out of the 28 pills ) its been about a month 1/2 since i took the last cipro pill, ( its been about 1 month since i took the last xanax, which i was using to help get sleep, but was making me feel horrible as well, and its been about 3 weeks since i took the last ativant pill which they put me on because i told them i couldnt handle the xanax. ) and it made me feel horrible as well. These last few weeks have been a road of horror that i wouldnt wish on anyone, Praise GOD that im feeling better than i was then. PRAYING TO THE LORD FOR TOTAL RECOVERY AND HEALING FROM ALL THIS, i must say it feels like a blessing just to find this page, because even though i feel better than i did, i was just wondering WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THIS MESS ALL ABOUT?!!!....MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL OF YALL OUT THERE GOD BLESS YALL	M	32	2 weeks		12/9/2009 Email
5	3rd ear infection in 4 months	I experienced joint pains and inability to function normally. I have broken a glass because i couldnt hold it and it just dropped out of my hand. I was told that the joint pain would immediatly go away after I stop taking the medication. It's been 6 months and I still experience severe joint pain in my left elbow area on a daily basis, some days worse than others.	Need another medication without such side effects.	F	40	1 weeks		8/21/2005 Email
3	UTI	After a week on 500mg twice a day I developed the most intense and excrutiating muscle pain to the back of my legs, I have never experienced pain like it, I thought at first I had caught a bad chill in the muscles, but after a week I still have the pains, I am a normaly healthy person but at times I could barely walk or stretch my legs, I would think twice now about useing this drug.	It did'nt cure my urinary tract infection, I'm now on Macrodantin !	F	50	1 weeks		3/12/2009
3	Infected cut	INSOMNIA	Took this med at 9:30 p.m. and couldn't fall asleep until 4:30 a.m.	M	31	1 weeks		6/8/2008
1	Cipro is TOXIC	Crippled & unable to work all thanks to CIPRO.	Cipro is an absolute POISON and Bayer should be ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR POISONING PEOPLE FOR PROFIT. There are other ways of making money BAYER!!!	M	34	666 days		1/7/2010
1	UTI	I took cipro 2x500mg initially for 14 days for a UTI, during which time my only problems were tiredness, night sweats, nausia and diarrhoea. The cipro seemed to clear up the UTI but the problems only started a few days after ending the course. I could not urinate, ached all over felt depressed and had severe diarrhoea and prostate / rectal pain. I was referred to a urologist and was found to have a slightly enlarged prostate he prescribed cipro 2x500mg for another 70 days after STI tests all proved negative. During this second course, things got no better and a few weeks after, things were much worse !. Now I had lost my appitite, losing 3 stones in weight, nausea, constantly tired, depressed and had constant lower left abdominal / rectal pain, stomach cramps, back ache, groin pain, pain in my left leg with cramps. I was unable to walk any distance or sit down for more than a few minutes without pain, I have constant wind and am unable to hold a full bladder and often feel the ungent n	This was the first time I had taken anti biotics for 20 years and apart from the UTI, I was fit healthy and active. three years ago I competed in offroad motorcycle trials, but now I struggle to get up from a kneeling position, and have no energy. I feel I am not the same man since taking the cipro, and sometimes wonder if I will ever live a normal life again. Its been 7 months now since taking cipro, during which time I have had lots of tests, scans and blood tests all negative. I have become intolerant to dairy, spicy food and white bread and have had to completely change my diet which now includes daily cranberry juice and pro biotic drinks. It is only now after 7 months that I can even sit at my computer for a couple of hours, but only because I am constantly taking strong painkillers all day, being in constant pain from my lower left abdomen / rectum. Lying down improves things and I never wake up in a morning in pain, which increased throughout the day, depending on what I eat, being worse between 3 and 10pm. I didn't realise an anti biotic could do so much harm, my whole life has changed and I have been left depressed and bewildred. People should be warned of the dangers of cipro, I would like to see all doctors take an 84 day course, and see how they feel !. Some days I feel so low that if I still had my Sako rifle, I could quite happily put the barrel in my mouth and pull the trigger, Thank You Bayer !.......	M	44	84 days		5/8/2009 Email
1	jaw bone infection	3 months after stopping Cipro, side effects have worsened. Am having severe peripheral neuropathy (leg, arm pain), tendonitis in both ankles, eye pain, severe anxiety during "attack". Can't eat any meat, soy, sugar, tea, coffee, chocolate - all seem to make symptoms worse. Symptoms have worsened since first stopping taking medicine. NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG!!!!	Don't ever take this drug. It has caused me so much grief. I was completely healthy beforehand, and never had any problems with anxiety or panic or any muscle, joint or leg pains. Now, they are all a problem and getting worse, months after I stopped the medication. DO NOT TAKE!!!	F	53	75 days		11/11/2008
5	POSTOP INFECTION	THE ONLY SIDE EFFECT WERE UTI, WHICH PROBIOTICS TOOK CARE OF AND ITCHING.	I HAD MAJOR SURGERY IN NOVEMBER AND WAS HOSPITALIZED 4 TIMES. NOTHING CLEARED UP THIS INFECTIO9N. I HAD DRAINAGE AND NO ENERGY. I WENT TO A WOUND DOCTOR AND HE HAS ME ON CIPRO. NO MORE DRAINAGE AND TONS OF ENERGY. I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS DRUG SAVED MY LIFE	F	63	60 days 500MG 2X D		6/10/2010
4	acute bacterial prostatitis	Some CNS stiulation.	750 mg 2 X daily. Helped a great deal.	M	61	60 days		1/5/2008
2	Prostatitis	None whatsoever, but Cipro did not help my Chronic Prostatitis, if that's what I have.	Reading all the comments, for several medications, and finding the majority alarming whatever the medication, I start suspecting that a) either this is because the nasty side effects are real but only the minority who experience them write comments while the vast majority of people are doing fine or b) the people writing these nasty comments hold a major grudge againts the pharmaceutical companies - and believe me, I don't hold the pharmaceutical in very high regard.	M	55	45 days		11/12/2007
2	Prostatis	I took the meds for 45 days. Stopped back in April. To this day, I have never been the same. I can't say with a degree of certainty that my health issues are all related to cipro. However; reading everybody comments, their is a lot of similarities. All my bones ache, tingling in my head, my knees always feel cold and hurt, now even my fingers and feet hurt. I had a sore throat for 7 months. A bad pressure in my upper rib cage for months. I have been in for test after test from MRI in brain, where they found 10 .5mm specs (don't know what they are)but was recommended to be tested for MS (WHICH I WAS AND RESULTS ARE NEG) to complete CDC blood work, scans for my rib cage area, can't find anything. For the throat, went to a Ear/Mouth/Nose specialist, camera down my nose to the vocal cord, no growths. Doc thinks I have Gerd in the Throat, so I have been on acid reduction meds for months. Now...I have a scheduled appointment to get a PH signal test where they insert some devise in me for 24		M	44	45 days		10/18/2007
5	bacterial infection for 6 weeks	I passed a kidney stone & had severe nocturnal itching in both shoulders for months after usage. drove me nuts!!! brilliant pharmacist cured me with Orthomega capsules (Omega-3 fish oil) I thought he was silly, but now I'm a believer. Cipro likes to settle in joints. Some people after 2 years are still having what I had!!!	Make sure you drink TONS of water and if you develop the itching, take the Orthomega 3 times a day. It really works.	F	53	42 days		8/27/2006 Email
3	UTI/Kidney Infection	Continued pain in my right kidney, shooting pain in my left arm, pain in my toes, overall pain in my stomach, left kidney, weight loss, depression, anxiety, morbid thoughts, lethargy, sleep disturbance	I had a UTI that lead to a kidney infection. My doctor prescribed a 7 day course of Ciprofloxacin which I dutifully took. It cleared my kidney infection, however, I still continued to have pain the right kidney. I tried to go back to work, experienced acute pain. Since then I have started to have all the pain noted as side effects and it continues. It wasn't until I stumbled across this last night that I actually began to think that it is the Cipro. I have now been off work for nearly two months. I am a shadow of my former self. I don't have energy to do anything. I'm a single mum and struggle to care for my two young children. God knows what I would have done if I hadn't had a loving family around me. I go to bed at 8pm every night, and wake up every morning feeling worse. I'm probably going to lose my job, which I loved, because I just can't work. I had a ultrasound scan yesterday that came back as clear which has made me feel like I am going mad and all this is in my head. If this is true, I cannot believe that we can be prescribed a drug that can cause more harm that the original illness for which it was intended. Please email me with comments. I've been prescribed a further 5 weeks course of this product and I stopped taking it last night when I read all your comments. Whoever started this thread, I thank you so much.	F	40	42 days		12/3/2009 Email
1	prostites	pain in shins and bones dry skin	hope someone can help me i been feeling miserable since taking this drug. my doctor insists it cant be the cipro and its all in my mind. been having severe bone pain in arms ,hands itchy dry skin, pain in bottom of foot. pain in lower legs and shins. very depressed. is this cipro or am i going out of my mind ?? someone please help i keep being told its not the cipro if any info please email me Rino13@optonline.net	M	41	34 days		4/9/2007 Email
5	Epididymtis	I had pretty agressive muscle stiffness in my back, thighs, and arms for a couple of days, but it subsided.	Other then the temporary muscle stiffness and pain, it's been a good drug.	M	33	30 days		3/8/2006
4	pseudomonis (on going)	I take cipro as an on going treatment. A year ago I came down with the lung bacterial infection pseudomas, due to a genetic mutation in my body for Cystic Fibrosis. As a result of the Cystic Fibrosis symptoms with any lung infection I remain on Cipro 750 mg for 20 days per infection. I usually can't go a month without a new infection. I have experienced systemic yeast infections because the Cipro causes a digestive disturbance. The Dr's nurse told me to go to the health food store and buy some Acidophilus pills ( which are kept refrigerated) These have eliminated that problem. I also eat lots of yogart with the active cultures. I have not had any further yeast infection since I started taking them. I do have several attacks of sweats throughout the day, but the for me, the health benfits far outweigh the side effects.	I have also taken Leviquin for these infections, but that med is harder on the body...for me anyway.	F	64	30 days		10/14/2004 Email
4	Prostititis	Weird dreams, sleeplessness, frequent bowel movements (5 daily)	Took 500 MG x 2 daily; no serious side effects whatsoever	M	58	30 days		10/23/2008 Email
3	Bacterial Prostatitis	This was a milder attack than the first and was on the mend before I started Cipro (2 days after first symptoms). By day four the obvious signs of prostatitis had abated, apart from the odd twinge. However, I had a set of other symptoms this time that were familiar from my first brief acquaintance with Cipro: dizziness on waking (dismissed as BPPV last time), tachycardia (my usual pulse rate is very slow), my first ever faint (on a treadmill just after I finished a run), periodic shortness of breath, difficulty clearing my chest, anxiety & nervousness, sleeplessness, night fevers, depression, sadness, pessimism - all the sort of stuff that it is easy to write-off as typical, post-illness. However, after 10-days this time I got back to exercise by taking long walks and a few days after that I took my first easy run. I was aware of the possibility of Achilles tendon rupture by now and had discussed it with the last doctor, who said it was a risk of all drugs in this class but mostl	This is my second encounter with Cipro. I had it for a week six-months ago when I reported an initial bout of prostatitis to the doctor. Subsequently, a specialist put me on doxycycline (and 400mg ibuprofen) for a month. Seemed like an odd choice, given that a month of Cipro is emerging as the UK "gold-standard" for ABP (and the ibu combo is frowned on). However, he knew I ran - about five miles almost daily... This time round I had a urine sample analysed by a clinic immediately, which identified an e-coli infection. Yet another doctor agreed that a month of Cipro made sense to try and eradicate any prostate infection. I also requested Ibuprofen again and reluctantly (risk of fits with Cipro) received a scrip for a two-week course. I might add that a PSA test that I was grudgingly granted first time round had come in at 17 (should be below 2), which had prompted the first doc (who had, naturally, assumed that I had anything but prostatitis) to do a complete 180, send me	M	48	30 days		1/31/2007
3	prostate infection	Dry eyes, optical floaters, visual anomalies with flashing lights, vitreal detachments, bilateral retinal detachments, partial blindess in left eye.		M	51	30 days		6/15/2009 Email
1	urinary infection affecting PSA	My right arm is sore at the shoulder joint. In fact half my right arm turned blue and black down to the elbow. Experienced constipation on and off, and some blood and itching at various times coming from anus. Naseau various times.	My PSA was up to 4.6 and Dr had mentioned I seemed to have some infection in my urine sample. Agreed to try to knock out the infection by taking cipro for 30 days, twice a day and try another PSA. My PSA was normally around 2.5 to the highest of 4.6, this week it tested at 8.6. I quit taking the 2 pills a day after 2 1/2 weeks, and finished up the other 1 1/2 weeks with 1 pill a day. Have an appointment with him today, and we are going to have a little chat. Never will agree to this medication again.	M	61	30 days		5/7/2009 Email
1	Prostate	Shoulder joint damage,stiff neck,breathing hard, tirdness, Shoulder pain, Kidney pain,pain in legs, Lower back and abdominal pain.	Do not take it.	M	57	30 days		3/30/2009 Email
1	UTI	Ear ringing, red face, numb face, numb arm, joint pain, insomnia, feeling of death.	First use was Jan 2008 for UTI, then Feb 2008 for UTI, and then March 2008 for Prostate Biopsy. Doctor did not correlate symptoms to drug use, but prescribed Lorazepam for anxiety. Re-prescribed in Aug 2008, turned beet red and sweating, and stopped use and finally found this site. 1 year later, I still have red face, ringing in ears, and now have a recent hernitated disk.	M	51	30 days		3/24/2009 Email
1		blurred vision, eye floaters, photophobia, double vision, sonophobia, depersonalization, anxiety, mental confusion, intense dread, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, joint pain in knees, hips, ankles, fingers, neck, back, shoulders, elbows; limping, need to use a cane for a month, unable to stand and bear weight in knees and ankles, unable to walk at times, extreme burning all over body, pulsating throbbing pains in legs...This drug is a timebomb and ravaged my young athletic body...was a healthy runner before this, now I walk around in constant pain and debility trying to regain my life...These toxic adverse reactions have lasted for more than two years after completing a prescription...They have ruined my life and turned me into an old man at 31....Re-read my post 5-10 times and let it sink in--if you are thinking of taking these drugs...it is not worth having your life robbed out from under you...and with no one to account for the damage inflicted...AVOID CIPRO if you love your eyes, joints, body, etc....my eyes and joints are so damaged 2 years later...And these adverse reactions happen more than 1% of the time...probably upwards of 60%...many times people do not realize they are even having an adverse reaction to a cipro drug because the symptoms can show up weeks, months, and even years later; so people do not correlate their symptoms to the TOXIC prescription...BUYER BEWARE...SWALLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK...I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE MY LIFE BACK, MY EYES BACK TO NORMAL, MY JOINTS BACK...Think many times before ever letting this poison past your lips!!!!!!!!!!	The fluoroquinolones (cipro, levaquin, Tequin, floxin, Factive, Avelox, Norfloxacin) are powerful chemo-therapeutic antibiotics...neurotoxic, chondro-toxic...toxic to the joints, eyes, nervous system...They are very potent drugs and can radically destroy your life in a matter of weeks...These drugs ruin lives around the world...do not take them, do not take them...Any moral legitimate doctor should NEVER ever prescribe these toxic pills...and any doctor who does is in need of being asked to try a month dosage themselves and see how their joints, eyes, etc... are after cessation of therapy...toxic adverse reactions can develop up to 18 months after completing a prescription...elusive poison...they recall defective tires and toys...CIPRO should be banned...it is a horribly toxic drug belonging to the Fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics (Cipro, Levaquin, Floxin, Tequin, Norfloxacin, Avelox, etc...) BUYER BEWARE...SWALLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK...These drugs are a modern pharmaceutical FRAUD and SCAM...	M	31	30 days		11/23/2004
1	UTI	Insomnia, feeling of doom, ear ringing, red face, exhaustion, joint pain.	It has been 2 yrs and 3 months. Not much has changed. I have simply become accustomed to my physical state. Less feeling of doom though. Also have returned to lifting light weights and exercising. Nightly dose of 1 ibuprofen and 3 mg melatonin helps me sleep 4-5 hrs. 1-2 hrs without. Generally feel better if I sleep without worry. Melatonin by itself never helped me before. Let me know if anyone else has tried this. Reluctant to see doctors for any ailments now.	M	52	30 days 500 2X D		3/9/2010 Email
5	severe sinusitis	After four months of sinusitis and three prescriptions of Azythromax a CT scan of my bleeding sinuses revealed they were completely blocked. My doctor said I would probably need a surgery but before that he wanted to try Levaquin. I asked him to prescribe cipro because it was the strongest poison I knew and I really wanted to kill the ugly germs. I guess I felt like people who have cancer and take chemotherapy because it is the lesser of the two evils. I started feeling better after three days. I was waiting for side effects but nothing bad happened. Towards the end I got stomach gas and then polyuria, but I can't be sure what caused that because I was also on steroids and 180 mg of antihystamine Allegra per day. I hate drugs; I am allergic to most antibiotics and most other drugs. I hope all of you get well soon.		M	63	28 days 500mg 2X D		4/1/2010
4	Prostatitis	Inability to consume many foods without nausea, after 20 days of use in a 28 day treatment, ongoing diarrhea. Otherwise, no effect.	It did what it was supposed to do, but I was unaware of any side effects that were possible. My main ones were occasional nausea and constant diarrhea.	M	47	28 days		5/14/2005
3	Prostatitis	dizzyness,insomnia,muscle weakness,fatigue,intestional discomfort	seems to have taken care of the e-coli infection	M	51	28 days		12/5/2007
2	sinus infection	tiredness, thrush, joint and muscle pain, skin rash	Have taken three courses of Cipro over the last two months: 2 x 750mg for 28 days, same for 14 days, again for 14 days. First two courses, only thrush and skin rash, this last course was/is the worst: very tired, stiff muscles (like having the flu). Sinus infection is not clearing up this time, Cipro seeming to have no/little effect. Will ask the Dr. tomorrow for something else.	M	49	28 days		9/7/2007 Email
1	epidymitis	long term -low back pain aching muscles in lower trunk; no recovery from athletic exercise. Ruined my life		M	40	28 days		5/25/2005
1	Presumed Prostatitus	Please read some more worse sideeffects on other posts before taking cipro, ciprofloxin etc I wish I had. Terrible anxiety, joints and muscle pain. tinging in fingers toes & vibration sensation. Eye and vision damage which will not resolve	I took 500mg 2x a day for 28 days and it was the worst thing I could have ever done. Maybe smaller doses over a shorter period are better tolerated. I experienced all the side effects of a severe reaction, however they didn't start till week 3. I was a young and healthly 26 year old male in perfect health. This grug caused anxiety first, then vision and light problems and my ears began to ring, then all the joint and muscles problems set in. Now 12 months after finishing the medication, I'm leaft with terrible floater (spots and specs in front of the eyes), light sensitivity and tinitus. If you take this med and have the slightest sideffect, STOP IT RIGHT AWAY	M	26	28 days		1/20/2007 Email
1	bacterial infection	Between this an Flagyl, I don't know which causes what. They both are horrible and mixed together sent me to the ER twice. Dizziness, abdominal bloating and pain, headaches, itchy, numbness, confusion, nausea	It makes me wonder if the doctors even know what they give us. "Here take a pill, ok, take a pain killer to counter the side effects of the pill I just gave you. Well, lets just run you through a battery of expensive tests and give you another pill." Honestly someone should regulate the doctors and their tests and HONESTLY tell you about all the side effects that you will encounter. All we ever want is an honest diagnosis- what do I got and how can I treat it without feeling like I am going to die by filling a prescription. Sure some bacterial infections can kill you, but so can the medications they give you. I don't like feeling ill, but I don't like that doctors seem to tell you, "inconclusive... I have no idea what you got, but follow up with your primary doctor". They actually print on discharge papers now: (Your condition does not appear serious at this time. However, the signs of a serious problem may take more time to appear. So, watch for new symptoms)... ok, now here's a pill.	F	41	28 days		10/23/2009
1	Staph infection	When my arms aren't outright hurting, they're aching. My arms are now so weak I've been dropping and breaking things and need help to do small things like open a soda bottle.	The cipro has not been able to get rid of the staph infection and not only was I not warned about the potentially serious side effects, I don't think my doctor has any idea those side effects exist. I'm taking myself off this medicine today.	F	38	27 days		8/24/2005
4	prostatitis	On high dose 500mg exr.. Burning indegestion, weird dreams, some emotional swings, random back pain, right side pelvic pain, morning nausea, loss of appetite and malaise .occasionalhead/left eye pain lazy left eye...After 12 days switched to low dose 250mg twice a day. Emotinal side effects disapated as well as eye problems. However joint and muscle pains and spasms started occuring with higher than normal blood pressure after 7 days of low-dose Less sleep has been on order too...Took myself off this over-powerful drug on day 25, since my infection seemed gone... Too much pain to take..Will contact doc for alternative if nessesary. 1 &1/2 days off and I am starting to feel normal again..Most joint and muscle aches are gone, but still have periods of nausea and malaise....see other box for details	This is the hardest anti-biotic I have ever been on...and I have even had drug treatment for onset lymes disease... Drink lots of water and take tylenol, while on this drug, It will help side effects lessen..If you dehydrate it will make them worse.. At least do 4 16oz bottles a day. If you have real bad emotions or dreams or muscle pains, STOP TAKING IMMEDIATELY and call doctor to switch down the dose or get an alternative... This has been a rough 3 weeks for me, and as a result have not done much socially either....Most people don't feel like it and that is normal for this drug.....Also don't drink, take vitamins, or take caffeine drinks ,this will worsen effects...High doses of calcium will nullify this drug too. Good luck to whoever is on this. It will work, but I think the side effects price is too high....No more for me	M	30	25 days		11/26/2006
3	Prostatitis	Fatigue, lots of urinating, diarrhea, anal itching, aches and pains, depression and lethargy	It has side effects but no worse than many meds	M	51	25 days		4/15/2009
1	Bacteria - suspected food poisoning	My journey with Cipro began 9/25 - was on the med for 25 days- 10 days off then 15 more days. Diarrhea on top of diarrhea, tingling in hands, no energy, weak feeling, depression. I have been off of the medication a little over two weeks and still fighting the diarrhea - not as bad and taking probiotics to help. Since being off - feelings in hands are still tingling, and now red itchy bumps on my legs and wrists. At first I thought they were flea bites but now more like a rash. At this point seeing a gastroenterologist and a colonoscopy is scheduled to see the damage! this is a wicked drug that worked before with little to no problems but 25 days has wrecked my body and a slow recovery.	I will not take this drug again and ask for an alternative.	M	43	25 days		12/10/2009
1	Prostatitis	While taking Cipro, joint stiffness, tingling in legs, muscle cramping in legs and shoulders, muscle twitching over entire body. 3 months after discontinuing Cipro treatment, sudden acute onset of peripheral neuropathic symptoms, including severe muscle twitching throughout body, tingling and burning sensation in arms and legs, severe muscle cramping and muscle weakness. Confirmed by two neurologists that Cipro is the most likely cause. Because of the activity of flourinated compounds used in Cipro, side-effects can occur weeks to months after discontinuation of the drug.	It's been three months since discontinuing the Cipro. The side effects continue to progress. I just saw a second neurologist who also nodded when I said I was on Cipro a while back. I must now undergo the usual battery of tests to rule out ALS, MS etc., but the unofficial diagnosis from two neurological doctors is CIDP resulting from Cipro. I was put on Cipro without any blood tests to indicate that I had a bacterial infection. There was no result from the treatment, which means it was unnecessary. Even if it had fixed my prostate inflammation, I would not have taken Cipro if I'd known the side effects. The result of taking Cipro is that I am now likely stuck with an autoimmune disease which may last my entire life. At the very least, I'll require regular steroid ingestion, and possibly I will require immunotherapy to treat the symptoms. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION UNLESS YOU HAVE A LIFE-THREATENING BACTERIAL INFECTION! The Cipro warning disclaimer vastly underrates the possibility and severity of side effects, as a class-action law suit against the manufacturer is now alleging.	M	36	24 days		9/23/2009
2	Diverticulitis	Nausea, Diarrhea, metallic taste in mouth, tongue feels hairy, extreme lethargy, lack of concentration, blurred vision, lower back pain.	I have been on Cipro 500mg x 2 and Flagyl 500mg x 3 every day for the last 23 days and I still have 13 days to take it. I have severe diverticulitis and doctors are trying to get it cleared up prior to surgery but sometimes I wonder if the sides effects are worth it. I do not recommend unless a last resort.	M	46	23 days		1/28/2009 Email
5	Prostate Infection	Very Minor, Some stomach discomfort after a few days, some sleep loss.	OK, Reading these posts scared me. I tried Levaquin and by the second day I experienced many bad side effects including brain fog, bad nightmares, palpatations, excessive sweating. My Dr. switched me from Levaquin to Doxycycline which after 2 weeks on the meds, my infection flared up. My Dr. demanded I take Cipro. Note that I started on this after 2 weeks on Doxycycline which failed to cure my infection. Unlike Levaquin, Cipro XR1000 was very well tollerated by me. I did quit all caffeine when I started the drug, which probably helped minimize any side effects. Cipro started clearing my infection with first dose. By the 5th I fealt 70% better and by day 14 almost 100%. I take on pill per day in the evening and no problem falling asleep. I do wake up around 4AM and feel refreshed. In short, i'm losing 2.5 hours of sleep and I have some stomach discomfort so I don't really feel all that hungry. Also, I haven't had much desire to push myself to work out. Other than that, its been	M	35	21 days		12/17/2006

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Average rating for drug: 1.8. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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