Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole
About
Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole is a combination of antibiotics primarily used to treat or prevent certain infections caused by bacteria and parasites (amoeba). It is prescribed for the treatment of diarrhoea. Additionally, it also treats vaginal and other bacterial infections. A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our bodies. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. Amoebic dysentery can be caused due to Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, or Clostridium difficile.
Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole contains Ciprofloxacin and Ornidazole. Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone that helps treat and prevent many bacterial infections. It is bactericidal and works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It prevents the division of bacterial cells. It also inhibits the repairing of bacterial cells. Ornidazole’ kills the harmful bacteria and parasites (amoeba) by damaging its DNA and preventing these bacteria growth from spreading hence relieving the symptoms. Altogether it kills the bacteria. Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole does not treat a viral infection like the flu or a common cold.
Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole should be taken in the dose and duration your doctor advises. You are advised to take Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. Sometimes, you may experience common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, and metallic taste. Most of these side effects of Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before using Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole. Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole should not be used in children unless prescribed by a doctor. It is not advisable to suddenly stop this medicine to avoid unpleasant side effects and sudden withdrawal symptoms. Inform your doctor if you have any lung disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), sleeping disorder, difficulty sleeping (sleep apnoea), or severe liver disease. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole as it may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and make you less alert. You should not take any alcoholic beverages during your treatment as they can cause flushing and a general feeling of being unwell.
Uses of Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole
Medicinal Benefits
Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole contains a combination of antibiotics, namely; Ciprofloxacin and Ornidazole, primarily used to treat bacterial/parasitic infections. Ciprofloxacin is a class of fluoroquinolones that helps treat and prevent a wide range of bacterial infections. It is bactericidal and works by killing bacteria that cause infections. It prevents the division of bacterial cells and inhibits the repairing of bacterial cells. Both these actions lead to the killing of the bacteria. Ornidazole; being bactericidal, kills harmful bacteria by damaging their DNA and preventing these bacteria growth from spreading hence relieving the symptoms. Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole is two times more active than other nitroimidazoles, like metronidazole, against amoebiasis and giardiasis and anaerobes. Together, Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole is used to effectively treat patients with certain vaginal, urinary, or intestinal infections.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Dryness in mouth
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to ciprofloxacin, ornidazole, or any other quinolone or fluoroquinolone and anti-amoebic agents. Let your doctor know if you use any prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, including vitamins, and herbal supplements, before starting Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole. Do not take Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Taking Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole may increase the chances of developing tendinitis (swelling of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) or having a tendon rupture (tearing of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle). Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant, kidney disease, a joint or tendon disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder of joints causing pain, swelling, and loss of function), seizures (fits), epilepsy or if you participate in regular physical activity. Dairy products should be avoided along with Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole. And also, exposure to sunlight should be avoided while taking Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole as it may cause increased phototoxicity or photosensitivity. Patients with epilepsy and irregular heartbeat (especially a condition known as QT prolongation) should tell their doctor before taking Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interaction: This medicine may have an interaction with blood thinners (warfarin, dicumarol), medicines used to treat alcohol addiction (disulfiram), antidepressants and antipsychotics (clozapine, olanzapine), caffeine-containing medications, insulin or other anti-diabetic medications (chlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, tolazamide, tolbutamide), medications for regulating irregular heartbeat (amiodarone, disopyramide, procainamide, quinidine), pain killers (ibuprofen and naproxen).
Drug-Food Interaction: Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole interacts with dairy products (like milk or yoghurt) or calcium-fortified juices alone.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant, kidney disease, a joint or tendon disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function), seizures, epilepsy or if you participate in regular physical activity before starting Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not recommended to consume alcohol while taking Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionCiprofloxacin+ornidazole is a pregnancy Category C medicine. It is not known whether Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole will affect pregnant women or foetus or not. Hence, the intake of Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole should be avoided if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it may harm the baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionCiprofloxacin+ornidazole is excreted in human milk. But the amount of Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole absorbed by the nursing infant is unknown. So, should not be taken while breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeCiprofloxacin+ornidazole can affect alertness and coordination. So, driving and operating machinery which requires concentration should be avoided.
Liver
cautionCiprofloxacin+ornidazole to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionCiprofloxacin+ornidazole to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your condition.
Children
cautionCiprofloxacin+ornidazole should not be used in children unless prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Probiotics should be taken after taking the full course of Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi can help to restore the good bacteria of the intestine.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Do not drink or eat a lot of caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola, or chocolate. Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole may increase nervousness, sleeplessness, and anxiety caused by caffeine.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole as it can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
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Do not stop taking the tablets your infection may come back. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking the tablets and follow their advice.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is when harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our body. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms comprising, commonly spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. A few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine can make you more prone to bacterial infection.
Amoebic dysentery: It is an intestinal (bowel) illness caused by a parasite (amoeba) known as Entamoeba histolytica spread through human faeces (poop). Usually, there are no symptoms, but sometimes, it causes diarrhoea (loose stool/poop), nausea (a feeling of sickness in the stomach), and weight loss.
FAQs
Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole contains Ciprofloxacin and Ornidazole. Ciprofloxacin works by preventing the bacterial cells from dividing and repairing, thereby killing the bacteria. Ornidazole kills parasites and anaerobic bacteria that cause infections by damaging their DNA. Together, they treat bacterial and parasite (amoeba) infections effectively.
No, Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole should not be taken along with dairy products as it might affect the absorption and efficacy of Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole. However, you can take it with a meal with these foods or drinks.
Do not stop taking Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole even if you feel better without consulting your doctor. Your symptoms might improve with time, but it is advised to complete the full course of treatment.
Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole makes your skin sensitive to sunlight, known as photosensitivity. So, prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light should be avoided. In case of emergency, you should always wear sunscreen before going out.
No, Ciprofloxacin+ornidazole should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor. If you take it in more than the recommended dose, it might cause unpleasant side effects. If you think your symptoms are not improving, please consult your doctor.
