Ciprofloxacin is a generic prescription drug used to treat certain bacterial infections. It’s also available as the brand-name drug Cipro. Ciprofloxacin can cause side effects that range from mild to serious, including nausea and diarrhea.

Ciprofloxacin is used to treat types of bacterial infections in adults and certain children.

These include:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that ciprofloxacin can cause. For a detailed overview of the drug, check out this in-depth ciprofloxacin article.

Ciprofloxacin has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Ciprofloxacin’s side effects explained” section.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during ciprofloxacin treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with ciprofloxacin. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking ciprofloxacin unless your doctor recommends it.

Ciprofloxacin may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with ciprofloxacin. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking ciprofloxacin, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with ciprofloxacin, visit MedWatch.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, ciprofloxacin can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking ciprofloxacin.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about ciprofloxacin’s side effects.

Does ciprofloxacin have a higher risk of side effects in the elderly?

Yes, it’s possible. Older adults (ages 65 years and older) have an increased risk of certain serious side effects from ciprofloxacin compared to younger people taking the medication.

These include:

The risk of tendon problems is higher for people ages 60 years and older and those taking corticosteroids. Your risk is also higher if you’ve had a kidney, lung, or heart transplant.

Symptoms of heart-related problems may include:

If you have symptoms of heart-related problems, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Ask your doctor for more information about ciprofloxacin’s side effects in older adults.

Can ciprofloxacin cause side effects after stopping treatment?

Yes, it’s possible in rare cases. Most of the common mild side effects of ciprofloxacin usually ease once you stop treatment. However, this drug has some serious side effects that can continue — or even begin after — you’ve stopped taking it.

These include:

  • long QT syndrome
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • CNS side effects, such as depression and suicidal thoughts and actions
  • tendon problems, including tendinitis and ruptured tendon
  • risk of worsening muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis

With the exception of long QT syndrome, ciprofloxacin has a boxed warning for all of these potential side effects. For more information on each of them, see the “Ciprofloxacin’s side effects explained” section.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to recover from long-term ciprofloxacin side effects if they occur.

Ciprofloxacin has boxed warnings for the risks of certain serious side effects. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Ciprofloxacin’s boxed warnings include:

  • tendinitis and ruptured tendon
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • CNS side effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior
  • increased risk of worsening myasthenia gravis

Boxed warning: tendinitis and ruptured tendon

Tendon problems, including tendinitis and ruptured tendon, are serious side effects of ciprofloxacin. They weren’t reported during the drug’s studies, but they have occurred since the drug came on the market. Tendinitis or ruptured tendon can happen within hours of starting ciprofloxacin and up to several months after you’ve stopped taking it.

Your risk of tendon-related side effects is higher if you:

  • are ages 60 years or older
  • take corticosteroids
  • have a history of tendon problems
  • have kidney problems
  • have had a kidney, lung, or heart transplant

Symptoms of tendon problems include:

  • popping or snapping sound when moving the affected joint
  • weakness in the joint or inability to put weight on it
  • pain or swelling in a tendon

What might help

Due to the risk of this serious side effect, your doctor won’t prescribe ciprofloxacin to treat a sinus infection, UTI, or bronchitis unless other safer alternatives are not an option.

Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of tendon problems. They’ll likely stop your ciprofloxacin treatment and recommend a safer alternative. They’ll also recommend ways to manage tendon-related side effects if they occur.

Boxed warning: peripheral neuropathy

Ciprofloxacin has a boxed warning about the risk of peripheral neuropathy. This is a rare but serious side effect that causes nerve problems. This side effect wasn’t reported in ciprofloxacin studies, but cases have been reported since the drug became available for use. In rare cases, nerve damage may be permanent.

Symptoms of nerve damage include burning, pain, numbness, or tingling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

What might help

Doctors typically won’t prescribe ciprofloxacin for certain conditions such as UTI, sinus infection, or bronchitis unless other, safer options are not available.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of nerve damage. They’ll likely stop your ciprofloxacin treatment and recommend a safer medication.

Boxed warning: worsening of myasthenia gravis

Ciprofloxacin has a boxed warning about the risk of worsening myasthenia gravis. This risk wasn’t reported in studies, but it has been reported since the drug came on the market.

What might help

Tell your doctor your health history. They won’t prescribe ciprofloxacin for you if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

If you have serious side effects from ciprofloxacin treatment, call your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you stop taking the medication.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this side effect of ciprofloxacin.

Boxed warning: CNS side effects

Ciprofloxacin may increase your risk of certain CNS side effects. While they weren’t reported in studies, they have been reported since the drug became available for use.

Examples include:

What might help

Doctors typically won’t prescribe ciprofloxacin for certain conditions such as UTI, sinus infection, or bronchitis unless other, safer options are not available.

Call your doctor right away if you have changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior.

If you have questions about this side effect of ciprofloxacin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Below is important information you should consider before starting treatment with ciprofloxacin.

Boxed warnings

Ciprofloxacin has boxed warnings for the risks of peripheral neuropathy, CNS side effects, tendon rupture or inflammation, and worsening myasthenia gravis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other warnings

Ciprofloxacin can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a suitable treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before taking ciprofloxacin. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Keeping track of side effects

During your ciprofloxacin treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how ciprofloxacin affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.