Cipro is the brand name for Ciprofloxacin, one of the lesser-known antibiotic compounds used to address a large amount of different bacterial infections: from gastrointestinal to urinary, skin, and respiratory conditions. It’s a comparably mild solution, which means several things.
Firstly, its adverse effects are more tolerable than with most antibacterial solutions. It’s not comfortable, but it’s also not as bad as with some of the stronger remedies, like Penicillin. Additionally, it can sometimes take longer to start acting, but this also has much to do with the severity of your condition.
Background
Cipro is one of the newer Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, patented only in 1980. While the compound is manufactured by numerous different companies, the brand medicine Cipro is property of Bayer and is thus manufactured by them.
Cipro is one of the primary forms of Ciprofloxacin on the market, although there are also Ciloxan made by Novartis, Neofloxin made by Pharmatech, and a bunch of other solutions, including the regular generic Ciprofloxacin made by many different companies including Pfizer.
Buying Cipro
Cipro comes in three major tablet weights, including 250mg, 500mg, and 750mg. They can typically be split for convenience, which is good because you should monitor your Ciprofloxacin intake very carefully. The prices will obviously change depending on what strength your tablets are.
It’s hard to estimate the average cost of a Cipro tablet in the USA as it can range from $20 to $100, depending on your source, tablet weight, and the number of tablets in the package. It’s not a very cheap drug, suffice it to say. Thus, it’s better to buy Cipro from Canada.
Generic Cipro
In Canada, the usual type of Cipro you can buy is actually the generic Cipro, which is just called Ciprofloxacin. This variety is just as safe and effective as the brand product, except it’s not made by one of the big corporations, it’s cheaper and, well, it doesn’t have a brand.
Generic Cipro undergoes the same rigorous quality control as other solutions, including any brand solutions in Canada. So, it’s not really a case of cutting corners. This product simply doesn’t have a markup on it, and the manufacturers typically don’t bother with spending money on marketing and all that fluff.
A common price on generic Cipro in Canada is $3 to $4, but you can easily find a lot cheaper options. Canadian Pharmacy, for instance, has Ciprofloxacin for as little as $0.3, which helps you save immense amounts of money. What’s more, you can deliver this stuff from Canada to the United States.
Effects of Cipro
Ciprofloxacin belongs to a group of antibiotics known as quinolones. Simply put, these antibiotics target the DNA structure of bacteria, inhibiting their ability to reproduce and transmit their genetic material to offspring. This results in the birth of weaker bacteria, which are more easily eliminated by the immune system.
While Ciprofloxacin is effective at treating bacterial infections, like all antibiotics, it also kills beneficial bacteria in the body. This can lead to a variety of adverse side effects during treatment, ranging from nausea to more unique symptoms. They are usually temporary, however.
If you have no other choice but to take antibiotics, Cipro is no worse than other options. It is known for its strength and effectiveness, allowing for a quicker recovery and a return to a healthy life. You might need some strengthening solutions alongside Cipro, but that’s for the doctor to prescribe.
Adverse Effects
The adverse effects of antibiotics are related to the reduction of bacteria and other microorganisms in your body. While the most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, anxiety, faster heartbeat, and dulled sense of smell, there are more serious and complex consequences as well.
These include blood in the urine, changes in urination, depression, double vision, arthritis, reduced number of leukocytes, and others. It’s important to note that most people won’t experience any of these side effects, and they are quite rare, typically only occurring in those with a history of issues with the organs in question.
When it comes to contraindications, Cipro should not be given to individuals under the age of 18, pregnant women, and those with psychological problems. The drug can negatively impact mental health while improving physical health, which means you should tell your doctor about any mental health problems beforehand.
Overdosing on ciprofloxacin can be fatal. For this reason, you should be extra careful at measuring your dosage every time. In the event of an overdose, measures such as stomach pumping may be necessary. Hives, swelling, and the yellowing of the skin are the usual symptoms.
Taking Cipro
Typically, a treatment course of ciprofloxacin will last only a week, but if the infection has spread, it may take longer. The dose is usually 500mg (the maximum is 750mg), although it’s often taken twice a day with 12 hours between the two doses. The dose can also be decreased to 250mg in some cases.
There is also a liquid form of Ciprofloxacin, which has comparable intake parameters (500mg and 5ml being the usual doses).
You can take it with or without food, but it is generally a good idea to tie your Cipro doses to breakfast and dinner to make sure you take these tablets on time, and with at least 12 hours between them to avoid accidentally overdosing. Do avoid eating dairy products with your Cipro, though, as it can worsen its effectiveness.
The duration of your treatment course can also vary. If the infection is comparably mild, it may just be a week of Cipro. More often than not, the doctors go for a full month. On some occasions, it can be as much as 2 months, but going beyond that is increasingly risky.