Ciprofloxacin can be termed as a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that serves to fight common bacteria in the human body. It’s used to treat several forms of bacterial infections such as joint and bone infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, respiratory and sinus infections, gonorrhea, and specific types of diarrhea.
Ciprofloxacin is only to be used to treat infections which have become difficult to treat using safer antibiotics.
With that basic definition of what Ciprofloxacin is, here is the impact, both positive and negative that this antibiotic can have on your health:
Negative Impact
1. Swelling Joints And Ruptured Tendons
Anyone above the age of 60 years, one who has gone through an organ transplant, one with kidney problems, or someone who is undergoing treatment using corticosteroids may experience inflammation as well as rupture of tendons within the first 2 days after administering Ciprofloxacin treatment.
This inflammation may last up to several months after a patient stops taking the Ciprofloxacin 500mg tablets. If you experience inflammation or pain on a tendon in your wrist, shoulder, elbow, knee, or ankle, you should immediately stop taking the Ciprofloxacin 500mg tablets and immediately contact your doctor.
Keep in mind that this inflammation or rupturing of tendons occurs rarely.
2. Psychiatric Reactions
It’s possible for a patient to experience psychiatric reactions in the first instance of taking Ciprofloxacin. For someone who suffers from psychosis or depression, symptoms of these conditions may become worse when taking Ciprofloxacin treatment.
It’s possible for patients with psychosis and depression to develop suicidal thoughts and even attempt to commit suicide while taking medication. It’s, however, a rare occurrence. In such an event, a patient should immediately refrain from taking Ciprofloxacin and seek medical advice from a doctor.
3. Nerve Damage
A patient may experience nerve damage symptoms such as a tingling feeling, a burning sensation, weakness, and numbness on the hands, arms, legs, and feet. In the event that this happens, it’s advisable to immediately stop taking Ciprofloxacin so as to prevent developing a potentially harmful irreversible condition.
Note, however, that this nerve damage is a rare occurrence.
4. Reduced White Blood Cells
Ciprofloxacin antibiotics can potentially result in a reduced number of white blood cells in the body, thereby reducing the body’s resistance to infections. If upon taking Ciprofloxacin medication you find yourself experiencing an infection from symptoms such as fever and other local infections such as a sore throat and urinary problems, you should seek medical advice immediately from a doctor to perform a blood test and check whether there is a reduction of the white blood cells.
Positive Impact
1. Treats Travelers’ Diarrhea
Traveler’s diarrhea is caused by consuming contaminated food and drinking contaminated water. It causes loose stool and abdominal cramps. Taking Ciprofloxacin treats this sickness.
2. Treats Bronchitis
This is an infection that affects the lungs and can make them become inflamed and irritable. Taking the Ciprofloxacin antibiotic will help treat this condition.
3. Treats Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A UTI affects any part of the urinary system, that is, the kidneys, ureter, bladder, and the urethra. Ciprofloxacin medication will come in handy in treating UTI.
Conclusion
There is so much more information about Ciprofloxacin that you need to familiarize yourself with before using it. You can learn more about it from https://www.medicinedirect.co.uk/ciprofloxacin.