Warning on Cipro

wonderwomanusa

Cipro for tooth problems. Cipro for diarrhea. It's a strong antibiotic, and I've long thought it shouldn't be used too quickly. ... maybe something else will work.

Yesterday, the US FDA came out with the following warning: Cipro can cause tendon injuries.

Here's the article.

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Nick-H

I thought it was one of those ones to try when lesser anti-biotics had failed, except perhaps for certain specifics.

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hfot2

Very true, Nick, but I have seen people mentioning carrying it and using it for everything wonderwomanusa says and more.

On the other hand, it and levaquin are often prescribed by travel docs as all-spectrum antibiotics for travelers as they work [and very effectively, I might add] for both upper respiratory infections and intestinal problems including severe travelers' diarrhea.

I checked with our pharmacist after the I saw this on the news earlier this week. He said this is nothing new and the tendon issues go away as soon as one stops taking the Cipro.

Better to save Cipro or Levaquin for those infections you know are severe. But when they are indicated as solutions, boy do they work well. We've had to use them in India and Tibet when it was clear nothing else would do. As our travel doc says - you will know full well when you need to take these.

I hate using antibiotics, and worry about aiding in the proliferation of resistant strains, but sometimes there really is no other choice.

distaff half

Nick-H

Wonderful things: I'm very happy to take them.

But not until I feel they are needed, which is certainly more than a couple of days of frequent loo visits!

edwardseco

The dangers of self diagnosis..

Nick-H

Absolutely.

How much amoxycillin, cipro, etc, etc, gets swallowed by people with viral chest infections, flu, etc etc, for which it does no good whatsoever? Heaps, I'm sure; especially as I know I've done it, and I really should have known better.

I'll self-prescribe for a tooth-abscess, because experience tells me that I'm at least 90% right, but most certainly not for chest infections, stomach problems and the like. They're hard enough for doctors! I'll be calling the dentist with the other hand too!

(actually, the last time I did that was to see me through a couple of weeks in UK, so I could avoid the horrendous Brit dental charges, and I'd taken the just-in-case pills with me from India so I could avoid the British prescription charges!)

jyotirmoy

Many doctors prescribe these antibiotics for things which could be treated with lesser antibiotics, it is not just the selfmedicators.The scene in Delhi is alrarming, cipros may be prescribed for headache even !!

Nick-H

I'm afraid many Indian patients regard a trip to the doctor as wasted money unless they come away with a prescription for lots of stuff. Many docs play along with this.

Also, frequently, medicines are prescribed on a day-at-a-time basis. Rather than being given a packet of thirty pills and being told to come back next week, one is likely to be give three or six and told to come back in a couple of days. Some pharmacists will even give you one tablet. India must be a breeding ground of anti-biotic-resistant bacteria.

HelenR

I hate antibiotics. Other than my sensitivities, they cause female problems too.

But, we were told at our travel medicine clinic that if we get really bad travelers' diarrhea, we should take the Z-Pack.

I also have a tooth that might act up and want a root canal treatment so my dentist thought it was a good idea to have antibiotics readily available.

karuna

I have absolutely no clue what I was prescribed in India. The doctor didn't deign to tell me and the pills came with no patient information leaflet. Mind you, someone in the States told me she doesn't get patient information leaflets either, it seems to be a European thing.

Anyway, if it's widespread, that kind of treatment won't help. People need to know what they're taking and why, what the risks and benefits are. Going into a surgery and being "done to" was quite an unpleasant experience and not one I'm now used to. Say what you like about the NHS, at least they don't jab needles in your backside without telling you what's in em first.

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Tapatio

cipro saved my butt in nigeria.

hfot2

Our US pharmacy always gives us lengthy patient information printouts with prescription meds. Maybe it varies by pharmacy?

distaff half

HelenR

Any big-chain pharmacy in the US will give you the printouts. It's only the small, local pharmacies that probably don't bother.

I'm pretty sure it's a legal liability issue for the big ones. But small, one-store pharmacies are less likely to be sued, so they're not hung up on it. It's pretty negligent of them to do that but I'm no lawyer...