Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cipro Oral Suspension
Serious warnings and precautions box
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, like CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION, are related to disabling and possibly long lasting serious side effects including but not limited to:
- Tendinitis and tendon rupture: CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION has caused tendinitis (inflamed tendon) and tendon rupture (partial or complete tear), which may require surgery. If you experience pain, swelling or inflammation around your joints, stop taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION and talk to your healthcare professional. This may happen while you are taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION or for up to several months afterwards. The risk of tendon side effects is higher if you are taking corticosteroids. Tendon problems can happen within the first 48 hours of treatment.
- Peripheral neuropathy: problems in the nerves that can cause numbness and tingling in your hands and feet, decreased sensation of light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, vibration, and/or motor strength.
Neurological and mental health problems: problems in the brain such as seizures, psychosis (loss of touch with reality), confusion and other mental health symptoms. Before you take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION, tell your healthcare professional if you have a condition that may increase your chance of having a seizure or if you have a history of seizures or epilepsy. Stop taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION and get immediate medical help if you have any of these symptoms:
- psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia (see, hear, or believe things that are not real)
- depression or suicidal thoughts
- anxiety, agitation, restlessness, or nervousness
- confusion, disorientation, or disturbances in attention
- insomnia or nightmares
- problems with your memory
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can also cause serious side effects such as:
- Heart rhythm problems: QT interval prolongation (lengthened heartbeat on an electrocardiogram (ECG) test) and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) can happen in patients taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION. In rare cases patients have reported a condition called torsades de pointes, which can cause sudden cardiac death. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION if you have QT interval prolongation, or any other heart condition that affects your heart rhythm, low levels of potassium in your blood, or are taking any other medications that can affect your heart rhythm.
- Allergic reactions: CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION has caused serious allergic reactions that have been fatal. Stop taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION and get immediate medical help if you develop a skin rash or any other symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- Myasthenia gravis: quinolone antibiotics, including CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION, can make muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis worse. You should not take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION if you have myasthenia gravis.
- Liver problems: CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION has caused serious liver injury that has resulted in death. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION if you have liver problems.
See the Serious side effects and what to do about them table, below for information on these and other serious side effects.
What CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION is used for:
CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria in adults. These include infections of the:
- respiratory tract
- urinary tract (bladder, kidneys)
- prostate
- skin and soft tissues
- bone and joint
It is also used in adults to treat the following conditions:
- carriers of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis that causes meningitis. It is not used to treat meningitis infections.
- diarrhea caused by bacterial infections
- Typhoid fever
- gonorrhea (an infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhea)
Antibacterial drugs like CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold. Although you may feel better early in treatment, CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION (resistance). This means that CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION may not work for you in the future. Do not share your medicine.
How CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION works:
CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria causing the infection.
The ingredients in CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION are:
Medicinal ingredient: ciprofloxacin
Non-medicinal ingredients: hypromellose, magnesium stearate, medium chain triglycerides, poly acrylate dispersion, polysorbate 20, polyvidone 25, soy-lecithin, strawberry flavouring, sucrose and water.
CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION comes in the following dosage form:
Oral suspension: 10 g / 100 mL
Do not use CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION if:
- you are allergic to ciprofloxacin, other quinolone antibiotics or any of the non-medicinal ingredients in CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION (see The ingredients in CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION are:)
- you are taking tizanidine, a medication that relaxes muscles
- you are currently taking agomelatine (currently not marketed in Canada), used to treat depression
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have, or have had a family history of, fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency as CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION contains sucrose
- have a history of seizures or epilepsy or are taking medicines that could cause seizures
- have kidney problems
have risk factors for an aortic aneurysm (an abnormal bulge in a large blood vessel called the aorta), or aortic dissection (a tear in the wall of the aorta):
- have had an aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection
- have, or if anyone in your family has, a condition called aneurysm disease which is an abnormal bulge in any large blood vessel in the body
- have any of the following conditions: Marfan syndrome, vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis or Behcet’s disease
- are 65 years of age or older
- have high blood pressure
- have atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of your blood vessels
- are taking corticosteroids, medicines used to treat inflammation and suppress the immune system
- have a history of depression
- have vision problems
- have diabetes or are taking antidiabetic medication
are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION passes into breast milk. Talk to your healthcare professional about ways to feed your baby while you are taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION.
Other warnings you should know about:
Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection: Quinolone antibiotics, including CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION, have been associated with aneurysms (an enlargement or “bulge” of the aorta or other large blood vessel) and aortic dissection (a tear in the wall of the aorta). Stop taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION and get immediate medical help if you experience sudden, severe pain in your abdomen, chest or back, a pulsating sensation in your abdomen, dizziness or loss of consciousness.
Blood sugar changes: Medicines like CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION can cause blood sugar levels to rise and drop in patients with diabetes. Serious cases of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) that caused coma or death have been seen with medicines like CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels often while taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION. Blood sugar changes have also been seen in patients without diabetes.
Sensitivity to light: Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) can happen when taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION after exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light (e.g. tanning beds). You should avoid too much sunlight or artificial UV light while you are taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION. Stop taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION and talk to your healthcare professional if you have sunburn-like skin reactions when exposed to sunlight or UV light.
Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION can cause infections of the colon caused by a bacteria called Clostridium difficile. These infections can vary in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis (inflammation of the colon). If you experience diarrhea or other symptoms of colitis, talk to your healthcare professional. Symptoms of colitis can include stomach pain or cramping, rectal bleeding, urgency or inability to pass stool, fatigue, weight loss and fever.
Driving and using machines: Do not drive or use machinery if you feel dizzy or lightheaded. This is more likely to happen if you drink alcohol while taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION.
Blood tests and monitoring: CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.
Drug resistance: Using CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION for too long or not long enough may cause the bacteria to become resistant, and your infection may not be resolved. Your healthcare professional will tell you exactly how long you should be taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION for.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Serious drug interactions:
Do not take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION if are you taking the drugs listed below. Serious drug interactions with CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION include:
- agomelatine, used to treat depression
- tizanidine, a medication that relaxes muscles
- theophylline, used to treat lung and breathing problems. Serious and fatal reactions have been reported in patients taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION and theophylline
The following may also interact with CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION:
- antidiabetic medicines, such as glyburide, glibenclamide, glimepiride, insulin
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), used to treat pain and inflammation
- caffeine
- xanthine derivatives, used to treat lung and breathing problems, such as pentoxifylline
- certain heart medications known as antiarrhythmics, used to treat irregular heartbeat, such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol
- oral anticoagulants, used to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin, acenocoumarol
- phenytoin, used to prevent seizures
- duloxetine, used to treat depression
- clozapine, used to treat mental health problems such as schizophrenia
- ropinirole, used to treat Parkinson’s disease
- lidocaine, a topical pain reliever
- sildenafil, used to treat erectile dysfunction
- probenecid, used to treat gout
- methotrexate, used to treat cancer and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis
- cyclosporine, used to suppress the immune system in patients who have had organ transplants
- zolpidem, used to treat insomnia
CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION should be taken at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after the following:
- antacids, used to treat heartburn and indigestion
- multivitamins, and other dietary supplements containing magnesium, calcium, aluminum, iron or zinc
- calcium-fortified products including food and dairy products
- medicines used to treat patients with kidney disease on dialysis, such as sevelamer, lanthanum carbonate
- sucralfate, used to treat and prevent ulcers
- didanosine chewable/buffered tablets and powder, used to treat HIV infection and AIDS
How to take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION:
- Take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Do not stop taking it or change your dose even if you feel better. Stopping too soon may cause your symptoms to return.
Take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION at about the same times each day. CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
- Do not take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION with dairy products (like milk or yogurt) or calcium-fortified juices alone. However, you may take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION with a meal that contains these products.
- Do not take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION with antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum.
- You should avoid excessive caffeine consumption while taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION.
- You should drink lots of water while taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION.
- Shake CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION vigorously each time before use for approximately 15 seconds. Swallow the prescribed amount of suspension. Do not chew the microcapsules. Close the bottle completely after use and store it in an upright position.
- After use, the graduated measuring spoon should be cleaned under running water with detergent and dried completely afterwards.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide on the dose that is right for you, and the length of time you should take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION, based on your age, weight and the condition being treated.
Overdose:
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
Missed dose:
If you forget to take CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION and it is:
- 6 hours or more until your next scheduled dose, take your missed dose right away. Then take the next dose at your regular time.
- Less than 6 hours until your next scheduled dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you are unsure about what to do, talk to your healthcare professional.
Possible side effects from using CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION. If you have any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- constipation, gas
- abdominal pain, indigestion, heartburn
- loss of appetite
- dry mouth, trouble swallowing
- feeling lightheaded
- insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- nightmares
- joint pain, swelling and stiffness
- muscle pain, cramps and spasms
- skin rash, itching
- hot flashes
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | help | |
| Uncommon | |||
| Kidney disorder/problems: nausea, vomiting, fever, swelling of extremities, fatigue, thirst, dry skin, irritability, dark urine, increased or decreased urine output, blood in the urine, rash, weight gain (from retaining fluid), loss of appetite, abnormal blood test results, mental status changes (drowsiness, confusion, coma) | ✓ | ||
| Rare | |||
| Allergic reaction: difficulty swallowing or breathing, wheezing, feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up, hives or rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat | ✓ | ||
| Ear problems: hearing loss, ringing in the ears (These side effects may last more than 30 days) | ✓ | ||
| Edema: unusual swelling of the face, arms, hands, legs, feet and ankles | ✓ | ||
| Eye problems: repetitive, uncontrolled movements of the eyes, redness and swelling, eye pain, irritation, vision problems, double vision (These side effects may last more than 30 days) | ✓ | ||
| Heart problems (including heart attack): fast heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting | ✓ | ||
| Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar): increased thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, headache, hunger, blurred vision, fatigue | ✓ | ||
| Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): thirst, frequent urination, hunger, nausea and dizziness, headache, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, tingling, shaking, nervousness, sweating, low energy | ✓ | ||
| Increased intracranial pressure (swelling in the brain): headache, blurred or double vision, confusion, shallow breathing, high blood pressure, nausea | ✓ | ||
| Infection: fever, chills, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, generally feeling unwell | ✓ | ||
| Liver damage: jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine and pale stools, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, fever, skin rash, joint pain and inflammation, pain in the upper right abdomen | ✓ | ||
| Mental health problems: hallucinations, paranoia (see, hear, or believe things that are not real), psychosis (loss touch with reality), confusion, disorientation, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, feeling agitated, restless or nervous, inability to think clearly or pay attention, memory loss (These side effects may last more than 30 days) | ✓ | ||
| Neurological problems: abnormally high level of muscle tone, clumsy involuntary movements, facial paralysis, tongue or throat muscle weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, seizures (convulsions or fits) | ✓ | ||
| Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight): itchy, red or blistering of skin when exposed to sunlight | ✓ | ||
| Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of damaged muscle): muscle tenderness, weakness, red-brown (tea-coloured) urine | ✓ | ||
| Tendinitis (inflamed tendon) or Tendon rupture (partial or complete tear): swelling and tenderness of one or more joints, pain, inflammation, muscle aches (These side effects may last more than 30 days) | ✓ | ||
| Vaginal yeast infection (inflammation of the vagina): itching, burning or discharge from the vagina | ✓ | ||
| Very rare | |||
| Migraine: severe headache, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light | ✓ | ||
| Myasthenia gravis: muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, vision changes, difficulty chewing or swallowing, trouble breathing | ✓ | ||
| Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): upper abdominal pain, tenderness when touching the abdomen, fever, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting | ✓ | ||
| Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) (severe skin reactions): redness, blistering and/or peeling of the skin and/or inside of the lips, mouth, nose, eyes and genitals, accompanied by fever, chills, headache, cough, body aches or swollen glands | ✓ | ||
| Unknown | |||
| Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP): rash with small pustules, red and swollen skin, fever, itching, burning | ✓ | ||
| Aortic aneurysm (abnormal bulge in the aorta) or Aortic dissection (tear in the wall of the aorta): sudden, severe pain in abdomen, chest or back, pulsating sensation in the abdomen, dizziness, loss of consciousness | ✓ | ||
| Clostridium difficile colitis (bowel inflammation): severe or persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, fever | ✓ | ||
| Kounis syndrome: a mixture of symptoms and signs of an allergic reaction and heart attack or unstable angina, with chest pain, shortness of breath, faintness, nausea, vomiting, fainting, itching, hives, sudden, heavy sweating, unusual paleness, palpitations, hypotension, slow heartbeat | ✓ | ||
| Peripheral neuropathy (problems with nerves): pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness in your hands and feet | ✓ | ||
| Prolongation of QT interval (a heart rhythm condition): irregular heartbeat, fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures | ✓ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
Store CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION for 14 days in the refrigerator or at room temperature (5°C-25°C). Store in an upright position.
Any unused suspension should be brought back to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about CIPRO ORAL SUSPENSION:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website http://www.bayer.ca, or by contacting Bayer Medical Information at 1-800-265-7382 or canada.medinfo@bayer.com.
Bayer Inc.
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Mississauga, Ontario
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Canada
Date of Authorization: 2025-10-23
© 2025, Bayer Inc.
® TM see www.bayer.ca/tm-mc