Cipro
 

Any doctors out there? I've heard such bad things about Cipro--including from a co-worker who had to take it during the anthrax scare. Is there anything else I can take on my trip that doesn't have such horrible side effects. I'm not so concerned about nausea, etc. but I don't want to take such a potent drug when something else would work and doesn't have long term consequences. My doctor wasn't too helpful.

Every medication has side effects. If you are sick enough with something to need Cipro, the benefits likely outweigh the side effects.

More than likely you won't even need Cipro. It's only for bacterial runs. And, as gail states, if this is the case, this is what you need to take.

It's not for ordinary tummy upsets for which lomotol, pepto, immodium will do just fine.

All meds, including aspirin have side-effects. I had none in the one instance years back when I took Cipro, so don't build up a mental block against this pill.

Of course meds affect everyone differently. However, Cipro has been a life saver for me on a couple occasions. I have never had any strong side effects and it knocked that bug right out of my system in a matter of hours.

What are you thinking of taking cipro for? As sandi mentioned, more than likely you're not going to need it anyway.

Thanks good to know. My friend who warned me about it, actually had really negative effects after taking it during the Anthrax scare on Capitol Hill. He had severe tendon and neurological side effects that have been long lasting...and this isn't the first time I've heard of that kind of effect from Cipro. I understand that side effects come with the territory, I just was surprised by the strong response from him and others I talked to about Cipro. Just hoping there might be something less potent to take, but I leave on Friday so I'll just to make sure I don't get sick!

Lucia78- don't take Cipro unless you absolutely need it. Maybe I read your response wrong but I get the impression you are going to take it as a preventive measure. Not a good idea. Make sure you talk to your doctor about this. Only use Cipro if you have a bad bacterial infection...

Oh no, I don't plan to use it unless I absolutely have to. I was just hoping there was something less potent that I could take with me instead of Cipro.

Dear Lucia,
I'm not a doctor, sorry. Does being an RN and a seasoned patient count?

Ask your Dr. about Xifaxan. It's an antibiotic specific for colon bacterial (bugs) problems. As Xifaxen goes directly to the colon it will incur fewer possible side effects such as photo sensitivity, yeast, rashes etc. than those designed to circulate thru-out the entire body. It won't however, treat other ailments such as throat, skin infections etc. as Cipro will.
Good luck!
Sherry

Thanks Sherry! That was exactly what I was looking for. Have you heard of the weird paralysis-like side effects that people are scaring me about with regard to Cipro?

No I don't know of anyone having these kinds of reactions. This however, is not saying that it doesn't happen with a certain percentage of people taking these meds.
My newphew has been taking a high dosage of cipro for years without any side effects for his CF. This drug is basically one of a few keeping him alive. He does have to watch the sun, though and we have to be careful to not have him take his cipro with milk or cokes (caffiene). We also, watch his intake of calciums as well. These things may not be nec. but they can't hurt either.

It's really up to you and your doc. to decide if this is something you think you should take with you. If you have a good pharmacist, speak to him/her as they are usually up on all the latest info. regarding meds.

The dosages for your needs will probably be on the low side and not for an extended amount of time which is sometimes where people run into problems. You may not even need it in the bush - however, it's your call.

Remember that you usually take Cipro for 3 days. During the anthrax scare exposed people took it for much longer (60 days?).

Thanks everyone. I feel better. Very good point on the prolonged use.

Marija beat me to it! Cipro is not normally used for more than 1-3 days so the prolonged usage in the anthrax scare no doubt lead to a higher incidence of severe side effects than normal.

I've not had to use cipro often - usually immodium will do the job - but when I've needed it it's been an absolute life saver and I've not noticed any side effects at all. Same for my husband.

If you're worried, I'd check with your doctor and ask if there are any other drugs (that you currently take) that are contraindicated and also ask if there are any particular reasons in your medical history that might lead to a higher likelihood of side effects in you.

I took Cipro last year for a bug I caught in the states, but I never needed it while in Ethiopia, and the reason for this is PREVENTION is the key! If you can, only drink verifiable bottled water (make sure someone just didn't refill a bottle with tap or well water), don't eat at restaurants that aren't busy, don't eat fruit or vegetables that you can't peel, wash hands frequently or use a sanitizer. I was in pretty desolate and impoverished areas (still breathtaking and one of my favorite spots - Gheralta region in north) but I never got sick! Also, don't go to the antibiotics first. Have a staged approach - using Imonium first. Cipro did make me feel a little sick.

Lucia78

First of all I do not know why you want to take Cipro.
Where are you going?

First let me explain about Cipro ,Imodium or anything else you might be wanting to use .

I am assuming that you are concerned about getting and abdominal infection and diarrhea and cramps.

The most common bacterial infection that you will/could get that willcause you problems is from E. Coli.

Now the "E" stand for Entertoxigenic.
Enter means gut and you all know what toxic means !!

Now if you get sick and Imean sick and not just some uncomfortable cramps and a few loose stools...then

you WILL have to use Cipro... a ton of Imodium is not going to help.

Here is what happens:

If you get E.Coli not only does it produce a toxin BUT it also sheds the linning of your gut... so you lose much of your food absorbing mechanism.

Now you eat something and the food is NOT absorbed in the first 2-3 feet of your small bowel, as it normally would.

So this food passes into your colon.
But this bulk of food should not be in your Colon.....so the colon has to attempt to neutralize this, and it does so by "sucking" in water from your system.
Well too much water in the colon and too much cramps ...so you pass a watery bowel motion. ( maybe even with some blood) Becareful if you start passing blood..go to the hospital.

Meanwhile the Toxin is working on your upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach and first part of small bowel)
This will cause you cramps and acute nausea...you may vomit...if you do vomit...you now have it coming out of both ends.... you know what happens now......

that's right dehydration.

So you better sip on fluids in small amounts all day long even though you may not want to and just the mention of food makes you more ill than you already are.

At this time Imodium will help ... a better drug is Lomotil.
But Imodium is over the counter.

Don't for a minute think that you are going to kill the bacteria by taking Imodium or Pepto Bismol.

You are sick and you WILL have to use Cipro.
Don't forget if you take Cipro on a trip with you and do not use it ...it is good for 4-5 year...so keep it around in case you need it on another venture.

Now the gut linning that the E.Coli caaused you to shed ...will regenerate in 2-4 days...... so do not start eating heavy food until about the 3rd day.

A simple comparison to the shedding your your gut lining ...is the endometrial shedding of a lady's uterine lining during her menstrual period.
The lining DOES regenerate ...if it did not ...you all would not be reading this right now.!!!!!

Okay about Cipro:

Lucia78 you mentioned could you take something else in place of Cipro.... yes maybe you could...but what!!! don't you want something that is very good IF you should get sick.?!!

Cipro may cost more but it is better in its spectrum against many bacteria.

You see Penicillin works against E. Coli, but not against very many of them.... all you know is that right now you are sick and you want to get better.

There is no time for bacterial cultures and heaven forbid if you should wind up in the hospital.

I will try to make this simple:

Cipro has a BETTER mode of action.
It inhibits the DNA enzyme in the bacterial's cell wall that the bacterial needs to replicate its own DNA......no replication...the bacterial dies....simple as that .( not really but that is another story).

Penicillin will also act on the bacterial cell wall but in a much less potent mode of action( not on the DNA enzyme mechanism

Okay what do these antibiotics not damage OUR cell wall but only the bacteria's........simple....

we do NOT have a cell wall, we humans have a cell membrane.

So you see you cannot just inter change the antibiotics without thinking of the bacteria that you want to kill.

1. Get 3-6 Cipro from your doctor
2. If you get the Cipro with the XL after the name (eg, Cipro XL) then you only have to use this once a day.

3.Take the Cipor only of you are SICK and I mean sick... not little tummy aches and a little crampy loose bowle motion.

4.If you do not use the Cipro..save it ,it is good for 4-5 years.

5. Take Imodium with you ,get the "Quick Disslove " type , it is written quick dissolve right on the box.
6. If you have a few loose stools that are a bit aggravating to you ...then use the Imodium BUT not the Cipro.

7. You keep the Cipro for when/if you are SICK

Have a nice healthy trip..where are you going .?

Percy

ttt for Lucia78

Thank you Percy for that detailed explanation, I appreciate it and hopefully I won't have to use my cipro. Also, what does ttt stand for?

I'm headed to Rwanda and Kenya on Friday

ttt=to the top (in other words, topping a thread)

Have a great trip, Lucia!

Thanks Patty and thanks for your help earlier when I was struggling between camps.