contains the active ingredient ciprofloxacin
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons
living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common
questions about . It does
not contain all the information that is known about
. It does not take the
place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks
and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine
against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have
any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is used for
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is a sterile intravenous antibiotic. It contains the drug ciprofloxacin, which can kill many kinds
of bacteria which cause infections in the body.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is used in a hospital environment only.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is used to treat serious infections in the lungs, skin, blood, bone and joints, kidneys and bladder.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or the flu.
Before you take CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm
When you must not take it
Do not take CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm if you are allergic to ciprofloxacin, other quinolone antibiotics or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, and difficulty breathing.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm should not be used in children and growing adolescents except when recommended by your doctor.
Do not take CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm if you are also taking a medicine called tizanidine (Zanaflex™) a muscle relaxant used
to treat spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or injury or diseases of the spinal cord).
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm can interfere with tizanidine and can lead to undesirable side effects.
Do not take CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm if the expiry date on the pack has passed.
This date appears after the words "EXP" or "EXPIRY" printed on the pack.
The contents of the infusion bag are not to be used if it is cloudy or has little specks in it.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you:
have any allergies to ciprofloxacin or any other ingredients in CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm, or to any other medicines that you
have used in the past, or to any other substances such as food, preservatives or dyes
are pregnant or breastfeeding
have any other health problems or medical conditions including:
kidney disease
seizures or fits
stroke
have congestive heart failure, renal failure, nephritic syndrome. Sodium intake may be of medical concern and the additional
sodium load from using CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm should be taken into account
have previously taken corticosteroids. You may be at increased risk of swelling of the tendons. Symptoms include pain, tenderness
and sometimes restricted movement.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking or given any of the following medicines. Some medicines may be affected by CIPROFLOXACIN
Alphapharm. These medicines include:
theophylline, a medicine used to treat asthma
warfarin, a medicine used to stop blood clots
cyclosporin, an immunosuppressant
glibenclamide, a medicine used to treat diabetes
NSAIDs, used to treat arthritis and other painful conditions secondary to inflammation
methotrexate, a medicine used to treat certain types of cancers, severe psoriasis and severe rheumatoid arthritis
duloxetine, a medicine used to treat depression and stress urinary incontinence
clozapine, a medicine used to treat schizophrenia
ropinirole, a medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome
the anaesthetic lidocaine
These medicines may be affected by CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm, or may affect how well it works.
You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.
Some medicines may interfere with CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm. These include:
probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
omeprazole, a medicine used to treat ulcers and other conditions where stomach produces too much acid
You can still take these medicines while you are taking CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm. However, you must take CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm
at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking any of these medicines.
Tell your doctor if you are taking or given any other medicines, including any you have bought at your pharmacy, supermarket
or health food shop.
Some of these medicines may be affected by CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm.
How CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is given
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is given as a slow injection into a vein, usually as a drip, by a doctor or a nurse.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is incompatible with alkaline drugs.
How much to take
This depends on your condition, and will be decided by your doctor.
The usual adult dose is 200-300 mg twice a day for one to two weeks. Normally your doctor will put you on antibiotic tablets
as soon as possible; but for difficult infections longer intravenous therapy may be required.
If you have not been given the next dose, tell the doctor or nurse on duty as soon as possible.
If you take are given too much (overdose)
Tell the doctor or nurse on duty if you think you have been given an overdose of CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm, even if you do
not feel worse.
While you are using CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm
Things you must do
Tell your doctor or nurse if you:
get severe diarrhoea. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after you have finished your course of CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any
anti-diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
feel unwell or you develop symptoms mentioned in the SIDE EFFECTS section (see below).
have congestive heart failure, renal failure, nephritic syndrome. Sodium intake may be of medical concern and the additional
sodium load from using CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm should be taken into account.
Side effects
All medicines have unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. In cases of serious side
effects, you may need prompt medical attention.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is usually well tolerated. However, there may be unwanted effects which are presently unknown.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm can cause redness, pain, oedema, hypersensitivity and inflammation at the injection site.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
headache
fever
dizziness or lightheadedness
mild stomach upsets such as feeling sick (nausea) or stomach pains
dyspepsia (heartburn)
nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
flatulence
discharge and itching in the vagina
loss of appetite
rash, ankle swelling
agitation, anxiety, confusion
altered taste.
These are the more common side effects of CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm. They are usually mild and short-lived.
It can sometimes increase the
stimulating effect of coffee.
Tell your doctor immediately, or go to the accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of
the following:
severe skin rashes
swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat
fainting
yellowing of the skin and eyes, also called jaundice
severe watery or bloody diarrhoea, even if it occurs several weeks after taking your tablets
fits (seizures, convulsions)
confusion, nightmares, hallucinations, and psychotic reaction (even progressing to self-endangering behaviour)
irregular heart beats
joint/muscle pain or cramping
visual disturbances
ringing in the ear, loss of hearing
wheezing or difficulty in breathing
inflammation of the bowel, abdominal cramps. Very rarely this can progress to a serious condition
accompanied by fever and fatigue.
These are serious side effects. If you have them, you may need urgent medical attention.
Photosensitivity (getting sunburnt very easily) can occasionally occur with ciprofloxacin. However, it is temporary and staying
out of direct sunlight while on CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm will prevent it from happening.
Rarely, there can be a worsening of the symptoms of myasthenia gravis. This is a condition in which the muscles become weak
and tire easily, causing drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty in speaking and swallowing and sometimes muscle weakness
in the arms or legs.
Rarely, the Achilles tendon (extending from the calf to the heel of the foot) or other tendons have been torn after CIPROFLOXACIN
Alphapharm therapy. Tell your doctor straight away if you have a pain, inflammation or rupture of a tendon.
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions) can occur with CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include flushing, hives on the skin, itchy skin, nausea, a rapid or very slow pulse
and difficulty breathing.
Very rarely, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may also occur. Symptoms include sweating, weakness, dizziness, trembling, headache,
and having a fast pounding heartbeat. Contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
If you experience any of these symptoms during the treatment with CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm, notify the nurse or the doctor
immediately.
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm may need to be discontinued and medications are required to treat these symptoms.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. If you need to know more about
the drug, please consult your doctor. Also please be sure to tell your doctor of any unusual effects or symptoms.
After using CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm
When treatment is to be stopped, your prescribing doctor may need to alter the dose of other medicine(s) accordingly and monitor
your condition.
Each infusion bag of CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is to be used once only. Any unused portion remaining in the bag must be discarded.
Storage
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The infusion bag is kept in a cool, dry place away
from sunlight, where the temperature stays below 25°C. The infusion bag should not be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
The infusion bag should be stored in the outer overwrap in order to protect it from light.
If you have any further questions on CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm, or are unsure of the information given above, please see your
doctor or nurse, who will be able to assist you.
Product description
What it looks like
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm is a clear, colourless to slightly yellow solution containing ciprofloxacin in the following strengths:
200 mg/100 mL infusion bag
400 mg/200 mL infusion bag
Ingredients
Active Ingredients:
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm - 200 mg ciprofloxacin /100 mL infusion bag
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm - 400 mg ciprofloxacin /200 mL infusion bag
Inactive ingredients:
lactic acid
glucose
water for injections
small amounts of hydrochloric acid to adjust the acidity of the solution.
Supplier
Alphapharm Pty Limited
(ABN 93 002 359 739)
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9298 3999
www.alphapharm.com.au
Medical Information
Phone: 1800 028 365
Australian registration number:
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm - 200 mg ciprofloxacin /100 mL infusion bag AUST R 154611
CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm - 400 mg ciprofloxacin /200 mL infusion bag AUST R 154612
Each carton of CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm ciprofloxacin injection for IV infusion 200 mg/100mL and CIPROFLOXACIN Alphapharm
ciprofloxacin injection for IV infusion 400 mg/200mL contains 10 infusion bags per carton.
This leaflet was prepared on
28th March 2012.
Ciprofloxacin Alphapharm_cmi/Mar12