Ciprofloxacin is a medicine that can be used to treat diarrhea or traveler's diarrhea. It's an antibiotic. Traveler's diarrhea is not a disease in itself, but a symptom. This can be caused by many factors, such as travel stress or unfamiliar food.
Hygiene standards are unfamiliar to South Africans in some countries. In particular, tap water or ice cubes in drinks can cause this diarrhea. Cook all foods and peel fresh fruit. However, pathogens can also enter the body in different ways. Even moving to a new time zone or taking a longer bus ride can cause traveler's diarrhea. This is usually okay, but make sure you drink enough fluids at all times. Ciprofloxacin can counteract symptoms and reduce stress-related discomfort while traveling.
The active ingredient, ciprofloxacin, is antibacterial and works by damaging the genetic makeup of bacteria. As a result, cells cannot divide and transmit the appropriate information for reproduction. It also interferes with the metabolism of bacteria and thus disrupts the genetic makeup.
Without this information, the bacteria cannot multiply and eventually dies.
Improvement can occur within 24 hours. If this is not the case, the diarrhea may have other causes. In this case, consult a doctor.
Active ingredient of Ciprofloxacin
The active ingredient in ciprofloxacin is ciprofloxacin with 500 mg of active ingredient per tablet. In addition to the active substance, it contains other ingredients. These are cellulose, microcrystalline crospovidone, highly dispersed silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 400 and titanium dioxide.
Dosage
Always take your medicine as recommended by your doctor in South Africa and never increase your dosage without medical advice or supervision.
Usually the drug is taken twice a day, one 500 mg tablet for three days. The drug is taken in the morning and in the evening to maintain a high concentration of active substances in the blood. Reception occurs regardless of food intake.
Side effects of Cipro
Like any drug, ciprofloxacin can have side effects. Nausea and gastrointestinal disorders are most common. Antibiotics can attack gut bacteria and thus disrupt digestion, which can lead to problems in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the intake should be continued even under these conditions, since the intestinal flora is restored relatively quickly.
It can sometimes cause side effects such as headaches, abdominal pain, skin rashes, fungal infections, and sleep disturbances.
Anxiety, muscle and joint pain, tendonitis, and drowsiness may rarely occur.
A complete list of side effects can be found in the leaflet.
Answer the questions
Who should not take ciprofloxacin?
Never take ciprofloxacin if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
You should take extra care if you have heart disease, seizures, impaired kidney function, potassium deficiency, myasthenia gravis, or metabolic disorders.
Children and adolescents under the age of 18 should only take the drug on the special advice of a doctor.
Can i take ciprofloxacin while pregnant?
Not. According to current research in South Africa, the drug should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are unsure about this, see your doctor.
Are there any intolerances to certain foods?
Do not take ciprofloxacin with milk or calcium-rich foods. These products can delay the absorption of the active ingredient. Ideally, the drug should be taken on an empty stomach.
Can ciprofloxacin be combined with other drugs?
The combination of different drugs can always lead to unwanted interactions. Always tell your doctor about all medications you must be taking at the same time to learn about possible interactions.
Never take ciprofloxacin with medicines that change the conduction of the heart. Likewise, the drug should not be taken concurrently with antidepressants. The combination of these drugs can lead to irregular heart rhythms.
Ciprofloxacin can make birth control pills less effective because these drugs are broken down by the same enzymes. Also use a condom if you are taking ciprofloxacin to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Can ciprofloxacin affect my responsiveness?
Yes, even when used as directed, your ability to respond may be impaired, especially when combined with alcohol. Therefore, use caution before operating heavy machinery or driving.
What else should you consider when taking it?
Avoid alcohol and drinks that contain caffeine, as these can further irritate the stomach.
Avoid excessive UV radiation such as direct sunlight or tanning beds, as the skin may be more sensitive than usual.