What do my tablets contain?

Each tablet contains 500mg of the active ingredient ciprofloxacin. Ciproxin tablets 500mg also contain maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, hypromellose 2910, macrogol 4000 and the coloring agent titanium dioxide (E171). The ciprofloxacin contained in Ciproxin is one of a group of antibiotics called quinolones which work by killing bacteria that cause infections.

Why have I been prescribed Ciproxin tablets by my doctor?

Ciproxin tablets have been prescribed by your doctor to treat your bacterial infection. Some of the infections which Ciproxin can be used to treat are:- Chest infections, e.g. bronchitis. infections of the urinary tract, e.g. cystitis. Intestinal infections, e.g. infective diarrhea. This medicine can also be used it you are five years or older, have cystic fibrosis and get a respiratory tract (lung) infection caused by a bacteria called Paeruginosa.

When should I not take Ciproxin tablets?

Do not take Ciproxin tablets if you have previously had an allergic reaction to the active ingredient ciprofloxacin or any other quinolone antibiotics. If you are unsure about this ask your doctor. Generally, with the exception of the treatment of a lung infection in patients with cystic fibrosis, Ciproxin should not be given to children and adolescents unless considered essential by a doctor. As with other antibiotics in this group, Ciproxin may cause pain and swelling in the developing joints of these patients.

What special precautions should I take?

If you are pregnant, planning a family or breast-feeding, tell your doctor before taking Ciproxin as it is not recommeAtlanticnded for use under these conditions. If you have already informed your doctor, follow his/her instructions carefully. Providing you do not have a problem with your heart or kidneys, you should drink plenty of liquid whilst taking Ciproxin. Ciproxin may cause a problem with your kidneys called "crystalluria" which results in tiny crystals forming in the urine. These crystals cannot be seen by the naked eye. Drinking plenty of liquid can help prevent this occurring. However, if you experience pain or discomfort when passing urine whilst you are taking Ciproxin, tell your doctor. If you have a problem with your kidneys, tell your doctor before taking Ciproxin. Your doctor may wish to change your dose to allow for any reduced kidney function. If you have had previous problems with your liver, tell your doctor before treatment with ciprofloxacin begins. Your doctor may wish to check for any changes in its function. Also consult your doctor if you have yellowing of the whites of your eyes or skin. If you have previously had "fits" or suffer from epilepsy or if you have ever suffered other conditions related to the nervous supply to the brain, tell your doctor before you are given Ciproxin. You may feel depressed, anxious or confused whilst taking your medicine. If any of these progress to you actually physically harming or wanting to physically harm yourself you should stop taking your medicine immediately and consult your doctor. Ciproxin may make you feel less alert, particularly when taken with alcohol. Therefore, make sure you know how you react to Ciproxin before you drive or operate machinery. If in doubt, consult your doctor. If you have a family history of or know that you have the hereditary condition G6PD deficiency, remind your doctor before taking Ciproxin. This condition cases a deficient of certain chemicals in the red blood cells and, if Ciproxin is taken, it may lead to the breaking down of red blood cells resulting in anemia and yellowing of the skin (jaundice). Ciproxin may occasionally cause pain and inflammation around your tendons particularly if you are elderly of taking one of a group of medicines called steroids such as hydrocortisone. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical advice immediately and rest the affected limb. Do not take the next dose of Ciproxin tablets unless you doctor tells you to. If you develop severe and persistent diarrhea, which may contain blood and mucus, whilst you are taking your tablets, or immediately after stopping your tablets, you should consult your doctor immediately as you may be suffering from the condition pseudomembranous colitis. This medicine may make your skin become more sensitive to sunlight or UV light. You should avoid exposure to strong sunlight and should not use a sun-bed or other means of UV exposure. Certain medicines are known to affect the action of Ciproxin and are best avoided whilst taking it. Therefore, ask your doctor for advice if you wish to tale antacids for indigestion or any other preparations containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium or iron whilst taking Ciproxin. If these preparations are essential, they must not be taken within four hours of taking Ciproxin tablets. If you take multivitamins or minerals, check that they do not contain iron, calcium or magnesium. If they do, your doctor may want you to stop taking them whilst you are taking Ciproxin. Remind your doctor if you are taking drugs that thin then blood (anticoagulants) such as Warfarin, or any medicines used to relieve pain and inflammation (e.g. fenbufen) except aspirin. If you are taking glibenclamide for diabetes, remind your doctor as Ciproxin sometimes increases the ability of glibenclamide to lower blood sugar and my result in hypoglycaemia (i.e. "hypo"). Remind your doctor if you are taking probenecid or metoclopramide as these drugs may affect the level of Ciproxin in your blood. If you are taking cyclosporin at the same time as Ciproxin, your doctor may want to take regular blood samples to monitor the level of a substance called creatinine in your blood. If you are taking phenytoin for epilepsy, remind your doctor as the levels of this medicine may be altered if used at the same time as Ciproxin. If you take theophylline for asthma, remind your doctor, as he/she may want to monitor the level of theophylline in your blood. This is particularly important if you suffer from "fits" or convulsions.

If you go into hospital for surgery, have dental treatment, which requires an unaesthetic, or you need to provide a blood or urine sample, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Ciproxin tablets.

When and how do I take Ciproxin tablets?

The dosage of Ciproxin required and the duration of treatment depend upon the severity and type of your infection. The usual dosage is 250mg to 750mg twice daily. For the treatment of a lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients (aged 5-17 years), is a dose of 20mg/kg orally twice daily. (The maximum daily dose is 1500mg). This product may also be used in adolescents and children for the treatment of other infections if the doctor considers it essential. The usual dose in these cases is 4- 8mg/kg iv twice daily or 5-15mg/kg orally twice daily. The exact dosage depends on the severity of the infection. Take the tablets as prescribed by you doctor. Usually this will be one tablet taken twice daily. The tablet(s) should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Drink several more glasses of water during every day of your treatment, unless told otherwise by your doctor. Take the tablets for as long as directed by your doctor. The usual duration of treatment is between 3 and 10 days but it may be longer if your infection is more persistent or severe. It is important that you complete the course of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. The duration of treatment for lung infection in children or adolescents with cystic fibrosis is 10-14 days. DO NOT EXCEED THE PRESCRIBED DOSE. If you take more than the prescribed dose, or in the event of an overdose, seek medical advice immediately and if possible, take your tablets or the box with you to show the doctor.

What should I do if I forget to take my Ciproxin tablets?

Take your normal dose as soon as possible and then continue as prescribed. However, if it is almost time for you next dose, do not take the missed dose and continue as usual, making sure that you complete your course of treatment.

What side-effects may I experience?

As can happen with some antibiotics, certain side-effects have been reported after Ciproxin. You may experience diarrhea, feeling sick (nausea) and skin rashes. As with all medicines, some people may be allergic to Ciproxin. Usually, if you are allergic to Ciproxin, a reaction will occur soon after you start taking the tablets. An allergic reaction can appear as a rash, hives, itching, small red spots on the skin or a fever. Very really, and allergy to Ciproxin can cause facial swelling, swelling of the blood vessels in the skin and severe skin reactions such as large fluid-filled blisters, sores and ulceration and shortness of breath. Ulceration can also occur in the mouth and throat, around the anus and genital region and on the surface of the eyes. These symptoms are often accompanied by sickness, headache and fever. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop the treatment and seek medical advice immediately. The skin of some people may become more sensitive to the sun whilst taking Ciproxin. You may experience thrush, a general feeling of being unwell or feel unsteady when walking. Ciproxin may make you hyperglycemic, that is having high levels of sugar glucose in your blood. If you feel unwell, have an increased need to pass water or drink more than usual, consult your doctor who can test for this condition. You may experience a headache, dizziness or restlessness. If you experience "fits", trembling, a tingling sensation, hallucinations, very severe headaches with visual disturbances, increases sleepiness, sleep disorders or feel anxious, confused or depressed which may progress to you actually physically harming or wanting to physically harm yourself, or you feel unsteady when walking, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Ciproxin may cause vomiting, indigestion, stomach-ache, wind, difficulty in swallowing, loss of appetite. Rarely, a disorder called pseudomembranous colitis can occur which causes attacks of diarrhea, which may contain blood and mucus. Consult your doctors immediately if this occurs. You may experience a fast heartbeat, fainting, hot flushes, sweating, and swelling of the face or limbs whilst taking Ciproxin tablets. Ciproxin may affect certain components in the blood. This may lead to bruising, jaundice, a persistent sore throat, fever with tiredness or a general feeling of being unwell which may be due to anemia. Ciproxin may cause joint or tendon swelling with pain, which may lead to tendon rupture especially of the large tendon at the back of the ankle. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical advice immediately and rest the affected limb. Do not take the next dose of Ciproxin tablets unless your doctor tells you to. Ciproxin can also cause muscular pain. If you suffer from the medical condition myasthenia gravis (a rare disorder of the nervous system), taking Ciproxin may rarely, make the symptoms of your disease become worse. If you think you are affected consult your doctor. Ciproxin has been known to cause effects on the liver such as inflammation (hepatitis) and yellow jaundice. It may also cause effects on the kidney, which lead to pain and discomfort when passing water (crystalluria) or blood in the urine. If you notice yellowing of your skin or any change in your urine output or appearance, possible accompanied by kidney pain, seek medical advice immediately. Rarely, people have experienced visual disturbances including blurred double vision and colour vision disturbances, ringing in the ears and sometimes, impaired hearing, which returns to normal once treatment with Ciproxin finishes. Impaired senses of taste and smell have also been reported: these usually return to normal once treatment with Ciproxin finishes. IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE EFFECTS OR ANY OTHER UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS, TELL YOU DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. YOU DOCTOR WILL GIVE YOU ADVICE.

How should I store my Ciproxin tablets?

No special precautions are required but it is best to keep Ciproxin tablets in the original box in a cool, dry place.

KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Do not use tablets after the expiry date, which is marked on both the outer carton and on each blister strip of tablets. If you find that you have tablets after their expiry date, return them to your local pharmacist (chemist) who will dispose of them properly.

REMEMBER:

This medicine has been prescribed to you. Do not give it to anyone else under any circumstances, even if they have the same condition as you. If you have any doubts about taking Ciproxin tablets correctly, seek the medical advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

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