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Cipro
Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) is a synthetic antibiotic manufactured and sold by Bayer A.G. and is also marketed under the brand names Ciproxin and Ciprobay. Cipro belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones that are prescribed to fight many types of bacterial infections including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Those taking Cipro have reported a number of minor side effects that may occur as a result of the drug, with most have to do with some stomach discomfort, which is not uncommon for antibiotics of this type. Patients taking Cipro have exhibited in some cases more serious side effects, including joint stiffness or tendon pain.
The incidence of these joint and tendon-related side effects became even more evident and serious in July of 2008, when the FDA announced it would require a "black box" warning on all Cipro prescriptions. The "black box" warning is the most serious warning that the FDA can require of prescription medication. In the case of Cipro, the warning was required due to the increasing incidence of cases of tendon ruptures, a serious injury that can leave patients incapacitated and needing extensive surgery. The tendon ruptures have increasingly occurred among patients taking Cipro and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Fast Facts
| Name: | Cipro |
| Generic: | Ciprofloxacin |
| Manufacturer: | Bayer A.G. |
| Date approved: | August 30, 2000 |
| Status: | Prescription only |
| Approved uses: | Treatment of bacterial infections |
| Off-Label uses: | None |
| Side effects: |
Common side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, abnormal liver function, vomiting, and rash. Also incidence of tendinitis and some occurrence of tendon rupture. |
| Related topics: | Levaquin, Avelox, Factive |
