Cipro (ciprofloxacin): What you need to know

Did you know Cipro can clear serious bacterial infections — yet it can also cause rare but major side effects like tendon rupture? If someone handed you a bottle today, what should you actually expect? This short guide covers the practical stuff: when Cipro helps, common doses, safety tips, and when to call your doctor.

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Doctors use it for a range of infections: some urinary tract infections (UTIs), prostatitis, certain lung infections, and traveler's diarrhea caused by bacteria. It’s fast-acting and works by stopping bacteria from reproducing. That makes it useful when bacteria are confirmed or strongly suspected.

Typical dosing and how to take it

Adults usually take 250–750 mg every 12 hours, depending on the infection. A common dose is 500 mg twice a day for many UTIs; some more serious infections need higher doses or longer courses. Always follow your prescriber's dose and finish the prescribed course unless you get serious side effects. Take Cipro with a full glass of water. Avoid dairy or calcium-rich meals right at the same time — they can cut absorption.

If you have kidney problems, your provider may reduce the dose or stretch the dosing interval. Pregnant people, breastfeeding moms, and children are usually not given Cipro unless there’s no safer option. Talk with your clinician about safer alternatives if any of these apply to you.

Side effects and drug interactions to watch for

Most people get mild side effects: nausea, loose stools, or dizziness. Watch for red flags: sudden tendon pain (especially the Achilles), numbness or tingling in hands/feet, severe diarrhea, rash, or signs of a serious allergic reaction. Fluoroquinolones can cause nerve problems, mood changes, and increased light sensitivity. If you take a blood thinner like warfarin, Cipro can boost its effect — your doctor should monitor you.

Don’t take Cipro with antacids or supplements that contain magnesium, aluminum, calcium, or iron within a few hours of your dose. These substances lower how much antibiotic gets into your body. Cipro can also interact with some heart rhythm drugs and other medications that affect the QT interval — mention every medicine you take when you talk to your prescriber.

Have a urine or blood culture if possible before starting antibiotics. For UTIs, alternatives like nitrofurantoin may work better in some cases — check our article “Nitrofurantoin and Persistent UTIs” for details. If you’re comparing fluoroquinolones, see our Levoquin piece to understand how drugs in the same class differ.

Final practical tips: avoid heavy exercise while on Cipro to lower tendon injury risk, tell your doctor about any nerve or tendon pain right away, and never share antibiotics. If you’re buying meds online, read pharmacy reviews and safety guides before ordering.

If you’re unsure whether Cipro is right for you, call your healthcare provider — and if you notice severe side effects, seek care immediately.