Fact Sheet Number 531
- WHAT IS CIPROFLOXACIN?
- WHY DO PEOPLE WITH HIV TAKE CIPRO?
- WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE?
- HOW IS CIPRO TAKEN?
- WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
- HOW DOES CIPRO REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?
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PrintCiprofloxacin, also called Cipro®, is an antibiotic drug.
Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria. Cipro fights
many different bacteria. It is also used to fight some opportunistic
infections in people with HIV. Bayer Corporation manufactures
it.
WITH HIV TAKE CIPRO?
Cipro is used for a wide range of bacterial infections. It works
against many different bacteria. Cipro works against some bacteria
that are resistant to other antibiotics, including penicillin.
Many germs live in our bodies or are common in our surroundings.
A healthy immune system can fight them off or keep them under
control. However, HIV infection can weaken the immune system.
Infections that take advantage of weakened immune defenses are
called “opportunistic infections.” People with advanced
HIV disease can get opportunistic infections. See Fact
Sheet 500 for more information on Opportunistic
Infections.
One opportunistic infection in people with HIV is MAC. This
stands for mycobacterium avium complex. See Fact
Sheet 510 for more information on MAC.
People who have a T-cell count of less than 75 may develop MAC.
Cipro is often used along with other antibiotics to treat MAC.
If your T-cell count is below 75, talk to your doctor about using
Cipro.
Some people are allergic to Cipro and similar antibiotics.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics.
Whenever you take medication, be sure to take all of the prescribed
doses. Many people stop if they feel better. This is not a good
idea. If the drug doesn’t kill all of the germs, they might change
(mutate) so that they can survive even when you are taking medications.
When this happens, the drug will stop working. This is called
“developing resistance” to the drug.
For example, if you are taking Cipro to fight MAC and you miss
too many doses, the MAC in your body could develop resistance
to Cipro. Then you would have to take a different drug or combination
of drugs to fight MAC.
Cipro is available in several different strength tablets. They
contain between 100 milligrams (mg) and 750 mg of Cipro. It is
also available in a liquid form. Cipro is taken every 12 hours.
The dose of Cipro and the length of time you will take it depend
on the type of infection you have.
Cipro tablets can be taken with or without food. Take them
with plenty of water. Drink lots of water while you are taking
Cipro to make sure the drug doesn’t accumulate in your kidneys.
Do not take Cipro at the same time as antacids that contain
aluminum or magnesium. They will reduce the amount of Cipro in
your blood.
EFFECTS?
The most common side effects of Cipro are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting,
abdominal pain or discomfort, headache, rash and restlessness.
It can also cause dizziness and drowsiness. Very few people who
take Cipro get these side effects. However, most anti-HIV medications
also cause problems in the digestive system. Cipro could make
these problems worse.
Cipro makes some people very sensitive to sunlight. It increases
the effects of caffeine and can make you very jittery and nervous.
In rare cases, Cipro causes an allergic reaction that can be serious.
Antibiotics kill some helpful bacteria that normally live in
the digestive system. You can eat yogurt or take supplements of
acidophilus to replace them.
REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?
Cipro is not broken down by the liver. This means that it does
not have many interactions with HIV antiviral medications. However,
it is still a good idea to tell your doctor about all the medications
you are taking.
Antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium can lower blood
levels of Cipro. Do not take antacids at the same time as Cipro.
Supplements that contain calcium, iron, or zinc can also reduce
levels of Cipro. Do not take them while you are taking Cipro.
Ask your doctor whether you should keep taking multivitamins that
contain iron, calcium or zinc while you are taking Cipro.
Probenecid is a drug used to lower uric acid levels. This is
a treatment for gout. Probenecid causes large increases in the
blood levels of Cipro.
Cipro can increase methadone levels, possibly causing a serious
overdose.
Reviewed May 8, 2002
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New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center
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