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Ciprofloxacin & Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections affect many people every day, especially pregnant women, babies and the elderly. These infections can manifest themselves in painful and inconvenient ways, but they are also easily treated. One of the common ways to treat a urinary tract infection is with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.

  1. Urinary System

    • The urinary system consists of the kidneys and the bladder, as well as the ureters and the urethra. These structures work together to create urine from the waste products in your blood and remove it from your body. The kidneys are where the filtration process occurs, removing urea, excess water and other impurities from the blood. Your kidneys use those waste products to create urine, which your ureters draw from your kidneys and deposit into your bladder. The bladder acts as a storage container for the urine until it is full. At that point it releases the urine to the urethra, the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body.

    Urinary Tract Infections

    • Although a urinary tract infection may indicate inflammation of any of the structures in the urinary system, these infections usually start in the urethra and work their way up. Bacteria that are normally found on the skin or in the intestinal tract are spread into the urethra. As bacteria colonize the urethra, they reproduce and spread up to the bladder. In the worst case scenarios, the infection can reach the kidneys and cause a serious condition.

    Ciprofloxacin

    • Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat all sorts of infections, including ear and urinary tract. It is sold under several brand names, such as Cipro, Proquin XR, and Cipro Cystitis Pack. Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone group of drugs, disarming bacteria by preventing them from producing protein that is essential to the bacteria's survival. You should not take it if you are allergic to it, levofloxacin or moxifloxacin. Inform your health care provider of any allergies up front so that you can avoid an allergic reaction.

    Usage

    • Depending on the brand, ciprofloxacin can be in the form a tablet or a suspension liquid. If your prescription is in tablet form, do not crush or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole. If you are taking ciprofloxacin in the suspension liquid form, be sure to shake it for about 15 seconds before taking it. In most cases, you should take it with water and increase your fluid intake while you are on this antibiotic. Taking ciprofloxacin with milk or dairy products alone, can make it less effective, so be sure to consume these products as a part of a bigger meal. Always take your antibiotics as prescribed and consult your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

    Side Effects

    • One of the most common side effects of ciprofloxacin use is swelling or tearing of tendons, the fibers that connect bones and muscles in the body. This is especially true of the Achilles' tendon, located in the heel, and more likely if the patient is over 60. You may also experience dizziness, diarrhea or seizures on this medication. Some people notice yellowed skin, nausea or blurred vision, too. If you experience any side effects while taking ciprofloxacin, you should contact your health care provider to avoid adverse medical conditions.

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