Xipro Adverse Reactions

Ciprofloxacin is generally well tolerated. The range of adverse effects associated with Ciprofloxacin and the other fluoroquinolone antibacterial agents is broadly similar to quinolones such as nalidixic acid. They most often involve the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system or skin.
Gastrointestinal disturbances include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dyspepsia and are the most frequent adverse effects. Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported rarely. Headache, dizziness and restlessness are the most common effects on the CNS. Others include tremor, drowsiness, insomnia, bad dreams and visual disturbances and more rarely, hallucinations, psychotic reactions, depression and convulsion. Peripheral neuropathy has occurred occasionally.
In addition to rash and pruritus, hypersensitivity-type reactions affecting the skin have included photosensitivity and rarely vasculitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Anaphylaxis has been reported. As with other quinolone antibacterial agents reversible arthralgia has sometimes occurred, but joint erosions have only been documented in immature animals. Other adverse effects reported with Ciprofloxacin include transient increase in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen and occasionally, acute renal failure secondary to intestinal nephritis, crystalluria, elevated liver enzyme values and hepatitis, eosinophilia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia; myalgia and gynaecomastia.
Like other antibacterial agents superinfection with organism not very susceptible to Ciprofloxacin is possible. Such organism include Candida, Clostridium difficile and Streptococcus pneumoniae.