Generic Cipro is used to treat infections of the lower respiratory tract, the abdomen, the skin, the bones and joints, and the urinary tract, including cystitis (bladder inflammation) in women. Generic Cipro is also prescribed for severe sinus or bronchial infections, infectious diarrhea, typhoid fever, inhalational anthrax, infections of the prostate gland, and some sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea. Additionally, some doctors prescribe Generic Cipro for certain serious ear infections, tuberculosis, and some of the infections common in people with AIDS.

Because Generic Cipro is effective only for certain types of bacterial infections, before beginning treatment your doctor may perform tests to identify the specific organisms causing your infection.

Generic Cipro is available as a tablet and an oral suspension and as a suspension to be used externally in the ear.

Generic Cipro may be taken with or without meals, but is best tolerated when taken 2 hours after a meal. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Generic Cipro to prevent crystals from forming in your urine.

Generic Cipro, like other antibiotics, works best when there is a constant amount in the blood and urine. To help keep the level constant, try not to miss any Generic Cipro doses, and take them at evenly spaced intervals around the clock.

If you are taking the Generic Cipro suspension, be sure to shake the bottle vigorously for 15 seconds before each dose. Swallow without chewing the microcapsules in the suspension. Reclose the bottle completely, following the instructions on the cap.

Do not use Generic Cipro HC Otic suspension in your eyes, and avoid contaminating the dropper by letting it touch your ears, fingers, or other surfaces.

Warm the Generic Cipro HC Otic suspension by holding the bottle in your hand for a minute or two; putting a cold suspension into the ear can make you dizzy.

Lie down with the affected ear up, and do not get up for 30 to 60 seconds after the drops are instilled.

Throw away any suspension that remains after treatment is finished.

Generic Cipro dosage for adults:

• Urinary Tract Infections: The usual adult dosage of Generic Cipro is 250 milligrams taken every 12 hours. Complicated infections, as determined by your doctor, may require 500 milligrams taken every 12 hours. Treatment usually lasts 7 to 14 days.
  
  For cystitis in women, the Generic Cipro dosage is either 100 milligrams or 250 milligrams every 12 hours. Treatment usually lasts 3 days.
  
• Lower Respiratory Tract, Skin, Bone, and Joint Infections: The usual recommended Generic Cipro dosage is 500 milligrams taken every 12 hours. Complicated infections, as determined by your doctor, may require a dosage of 750 milligrams taken every 12 hours. Treatment usually lasts 7 to 14 days, except for bone and joint infections, which require 4 to 6 weeks.
  
• Infectious Diarrhea; Typhoid Fever; Sinus, Prostate, and Abdominal Infections: The recommended Generic Cipro dosage is 500 milligrams taken every 12 hours. Treatment lasts 5 to 7 days for diarrhea, 10 days for typhoid fever and sinus infections, 7 to 14 days for abdominal infections, and 28 days for prostate infections.
  
• Inhalational Anthrax: For adults, the recommended Generic Cipro dosage is 500 milligrams taken every 12 hours. Children &cotes s doses are calculated at a rate of 15 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight up to a maximum of 500 milligrams per dose. Treatment continues for 60 days
  
• Gonorrhea in the Urethra or Cervix: For these sexually transmitted diseases, a single 250-milligram Generic Cipro dose is the usual treatment.
  
• Ear Infection: Instill 3 drops of suspension into the ear twice a day for 7 days.

Generic Cipro dosage for children:

• Except for treatment of inhalational anthrax, safety and effectiveness of Generic Cipro oral tablets and suspension have not been established in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
  
• The dosage of Generic Cipro HC Otic suspension for children aged 1 and up is the same as for adults. If you are using the oral suspension, 1 teaspoonful of 5% suspension equals 250 milligrams and 1 teaspoonful of 10% suspension equals 500 milligrams.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor will decrease your dose of Generic Cipro accordingly. Treatment should usually be continued for 2 days after the signs and symptoms of the infection have disappeared.

Overdose of Generic Cipro: Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Generic Cipro, seek medical attention immediately.

If you miss a dose of Generic Cipro: Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next Generic Cipro dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 Generic Cipro doses at the same time.

Storage instructions for Generic Cipro: Generic Cipro tablets should be stored at room temperature. Generic Cipro suspension may be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. The suspension is good for 14 days. Protect Generic Cipro HC Otic suspension from light and avoid freezing.

Preparations of Generic Cipro:
Generic Cipro Tablets: Generic Cipro 250 mg, Generic Cipro 500 mg, Generic Cipro 750 mg, Generic Cipro 1000 mg, Generic Cipro 500 mg extended release (Generic Cipro XR)

Side effects of Generic Cipro cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Generic Cipro.

Most common side effect of Generic Cipro: Nausea.

Less common side effects of Generic Cipro: May include, abdominal pain/discomfort, diarrhea, headache, rash, restlessness, vomiting.

Rare side effects of Generic Cipro: May include Abnormal dread or fear, achiness, bleeding in the stomach and/or intestines, blood clots in the lungs, blurred vision, breast pain, change in color perception, chills, confusion, constipation, convulsions, coughing up blood, decreased vision, depression, difficulty in swallowing, dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, eye pain, fainting, fever, flushing, foot pain, gas, gout flare up, hallucinations, hearing loss, heart attack, hiccups, high blood pressure, hives, inability to fall or stay asleep, inability to urinate, indigestion, intestinal inflammation, involuntary eye movement, irregular heartbeat, irritability, itching, joint or back pain, joint stiffness, kidney failure, labored breathing, lack of muscle coordination, lack or loss of appetite, large volumes of urine, light-headedness, loss of sense of identity, loss of sense of smell, mouth sores, neck pain, nightmares, nosebleed, pounding heartbeat, ringing in the ears, seizures, sensitivity to light, severe allergic reaction, skin peeling, redness, sluggishness, speech difficulties, swelling of the face, neck, lips, eyes, or hands, swelling of the throat, swollen lymph nodes, tender, red bumps on skin, tingling sensation, tremors, unpleasant taste, unusual darkening of the skin, vaginal inflammation, vague feeling of illness, weakness, yellowed eyes and skin.