How and when to take or use ciprofloxacin - Brand names: Ciproxin, Ciloxan, Cetraxal

How you take your medicine depends on the type of ciprofloxacin and what you're taking or using it for. Follow the instructions that come with it.

Dosage and strength of ciprofloxacin tablets and liquid

Ciprofloxacin is available in different strengths. It comes as:

• 100mg, 250mg, 500mg and 750mg tablets
• a liquid that contains 250mg in 5ml

The usual dose of ciprofloxacin tablets or liquid is 250mg to 750mg twice a day. For some infections, you might only need to take a single dose.

Doses are usually lower for children and people with kidney problems.

Dosage for ciprofloxacin eye drops

The usual dose is 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye 4 times a day.

Dosage for ciprofloxacin ear drops

You'll usually use up to 5 drops, twice a day.

How to take or use it

You can take ciprofloxacin tablets and liquid with or without food. However, avoid dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt, as they can affect how your medicine works.

Taking ciprofloxacin tablets

Swallow the tablets whole with lots of water. Do not chew them.

Taking ciprofloxacin liquid

Ciprofloxacin liquid comes as 2 bottles, one containing granules and one containing liquid.

1. Empty the granules into the larger bottle. Do not add any water to the liquid.
2. Close the larger bottle containing the liquid and granules and shake for about 15 seconds.
3. Open the bottle and measure your dose.

Always use the plastic syringe or spoon provided, to help you take the right amount. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

Using ciprofloxacin eye drops

You'll usually put 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye 4 times a day.

For severe infections, your doctor may tell you to use the drops as often as every 15 minutes for the first 6 hours. You can then reduce how often you use it.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Gently pull down your lower eyelid and tilt your head back.
3. Hold the bottle over your eye and allow a single drop to fall into the space between your lower lid and your eye.
4. Put in a second drop if you have been told to.

Using ciprofloxacin ear drops

Ciprofloxacin ear drops come in single-dose containers or as a 5ml bottle. If you are using single-dose ciprofloxacin, use 1 container for 1 dose.

1. Warm the drops by holding the container or bottle in your hands for a few minutes.
2. Wash your hands before using.
3. Tilt your head and bring the container or bottle up to the affected ear, with the open end close to your ear hole.
4. Squeeze the drops into your ear.
5. If you can, lie down for at least 5 minutes afterwards.
6. If you are only treating 1 ear, turn your head to one side, so your affected ear is towards the ceiling.

Do not touch your ear with the dropper as it may cause infection to spread.

Put up to 5 drops into the affected ear twice a day, or as your doctor advises. If you are using ear drops from a 5ml bottle, use 4 drops for each dose.

How long to take or use it for

It's usual to take or use ciprofloxacin for a week or two. For some infections you might only need to take or use it for a day, but for others it might be up to 3 months.

Your doctor will tell you how long to take or use ciprofloxacin.

It's very important that you keep taking or using ciprofloxacin until your course is finished. Do this even if you feel better.

If you stop your treatment early, the infection could come back. It also gives any remaining bacteria a chance to change or adapt so they are no longer affected by the antibiotic. This is known as antibiotic resistance.

If you forget to take or use it

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time.

Make sure you finish your full course of antibiotics. Do not have 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines.

If you take or use too much

If you're using the eye or ear drops, do not worry if you use a bit too much. This does not usually cause any problems.

If you take more than your prescribed dose of the tablets or liquid, you may get side effects. These can include feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting), diarrhoea and a pounding or irregular heartbeat. If you have epilepsy, you might have seizures or fits.