OT Cipro....

[Matuboo]

I am leaving for Mexico in about a week to attend a wedding. The last time I was there, about seven years ago, I contracted a fairly severe case of food poisoning. It was severe enough to keep me in bed for my final day and almost consult a Mexican physician (something I didn't want to do).

At any rate, I was at my doctors the other day and mentioned my trip, he gave me a script for Cipro. I've heard of some of the nasty side effects and although my doctor didn't seem concerned, I'm wondering if that stuff can do more harm than good. Is it effective against food poisoning? I'm assuming my doctor is right but it never hurts to get a second (or third or fourth:D) opinion. I've never heard of antibiotics for food poisoning before. It's unlikely that I'll contract it again but when you've been burned once, you fear the fire, so to speak and I was sick for two weeks last time!

[BrokenBladder]

Ahhh yes the Cipro. Well I had food poisoning in Jamaica a fews years back and was given an antibiotic when I wanted to return there. It wasn't Cipro(I don't think it was available then)but it was an antibiotic. Right now at this early hour of the morning I can't remember why the doctor gave it to me, something about helping to fight bacteria ahead of time, I think.

[Matuboo]

Ahhh yes the Cipro. Well I had food poisoning in Jamaica a fews years back and was given an antibiotic when I wanted to return there. It wasn't Cipro(I don't think it was available then)but it was an antibiotic. Right now at this early hour of the morning I can't remember why the doctor gave it to me, something about helping to fight bacteria ahead of time, I think.


My episode was pretty bad as I was in the bathroom about every five minutes. I was out on a fishing boat off the coast of Baja when it struck, initially, I thought it was sea sickness. So I got off the fishing boat and into a bait boat (which was esentially a canoe.) Not the brightest idea in the world considering there were no life vests and seas were not exactly calm. It was a rough 45 minute ride back to the mainland. Still, to this day, I don't know how the mexican guy who was operating the boat was able to get us back safely.:eek:

I'll probably just fill the script and hope I don't need it, I can't see taking it ahead of time but will check with my pharmacist.

[BrokenBladder]

Yes please do check with your pharmacist. I know in my case I started taking it the day before I left, but also know Cipro is stronger. BTW...I have taken Cipro for other things and had no bad reactions to it so I don't think you will have to worry about that. Then again we are all so different. Here's to having a great trip to Mexico.......

[Matuboo]

Yes please do check with your pharmacist. I know in my case I started taking it the day before I left, but also know Cipro is stronger. BTW...I have taken Cipro for other things and had no bad reactions to it so I don't think you will have to worry about that. Then again we are all so different. Here's to having a great trip to Mexico.......


Yeah, I have a bad stomach though and I know from past experiences, antibiotics of any form (even the mild ones) can cause problems. If it can kill Anthrax it's likely to pack quite a punch, maybe Steve will be along to comment. Still, anything's things better than E coli or whatever the **** it was I had down there. Thanks, hope my body holds up, I'm not half the man I was seven years ago!:o

[Pharmacist.steve]

The best thing down there is to avoid the water or anything that has been washed with the water - fresh salads.. or anything uncooked. drink bottled water or soda... ice may also be a risk... Using a antibiotic as a preventative is quite common

[mrsdoubtfyre]

treatments, Cipro is not that worrisome. Chronic treatments however, do
expose you to neuropathy potential, and also tendon ruptures.

Another option is doxycycline. But Cipro is the most commonly used.
Another is Xifaxin which is new. Some insurances will not pay for Xifaxin
however.

In the old days, Bactrim (Septra) DS was used also.

[Kira]

My dad's doctor gives him Cipro when he goes to Mexico, ever since he got Traveller's Diarrhea two years in a row.

If you are worried about the Cipro, the best thing to do is just to be safe about what you eat/drink, so that you don't need to use the Cipro.

Avoid the drinking water and anything washed in it, like fresh fruits/veggies. Avoid ice, too. Be careful about where you choose to eat... generally safer at the resort areas and at relatively nice restaurants than at food stands/stalls, etc. Packaged foods, sodas, beer, etc are another option.

[mrsdoubtfyre]

none of the antibiotics work for the Norwalk virus...that is called
"cruise ship virus"..

http://www.northwestern.edu/univ-relations/media_relations/releases/2004_01/virus.html

I'd take some hand disinfectant along too. (to minimize risk of this).

[Matuboo]

So they do need to be taken ahead of time in order for them to work? I guess I have to weigh the options, antibiotics do cause upset stomach, they always have for me but nowhere near as bad as Montezuma's revenge.

After all the crap I've heard about cruises I think I'll stay off them, there was just a story on CNN the other day about a bunch of people getting sick, it happens too frequently in my opinion. Makes you think about trip insurance because being sick completely ruins any fun you might have, especially if you deal with other health issues.

[Kira]

Take them however your doc told you to take them. :)

(I don't want to contradict or give out medical advice, etc to someone I've never met in person)

[Matuboo]

The best thing down there is to avoid the water or anything that has been washed with the water - fresh salads.. or anything uncooked. drink bottled water or soda... ice may also be a risk... Using a antibiotic as a preventative is quite common


Yeah, it's tough to avoid everything though, I've been there 5 or 6 times without incident, hopefully this will be one of them. My pharmacist pretty much said the same thing you did but also said that it was ok to take it IMMEDIATELY after symptoms appear, just a short course.

[Matuboo]

Take them however your doc told you to take them. :)

(I don't want to contradict or give out medical advice, etc to someone I've never met in person)


Doc was kind of in a hurry, in fact, I think an emergency came up in he was in a big hurry. Pharmacists know how they're supposed to be taken and I think my own pharmacist (and Steve's) opinion will suffice. He wrote it for like 20 pills, which is a lot and his handwriting is terrible (suprise).:rolleyes:

Thanks though Kira.

[sammy_rockwell]

20 pills is not a lot for Cipro. The standard course of Cipro is twice a day for 10 days.

I cannot believe your pharmacist told you it was okay to take a "short course" of Cipro! NO NO NO!!!!

That is the biggest cause of antibiotic resistance! People take antibiotics for less time than reccommended to save some, or b/c they "feel fine." When you shorten the course of antibiotics than is reccommended, it does not kill of ALL the bacteria. Then, the bacteria that are left behind have been "educated" (so-to-speak) about that antibiotic, such that the next time they are introduced to it they know how to respond to it.. or rather, don't respond to it.

If you are unclear about how your MD intended you to take them, I reccommend that you call and ask his intentions rather than "guessing" what they were -- it is too important when it comes to antibiotics -- your misuse of antibiotics affects everyone else.

[mrsdoubtfyre]

There are different regimens that use the same antibiotics.

Typically for traveler's diarrhea, a short course of Cipro is typical.

For other systemic infections, a 10 day course may be done, or a 14 day course, or a 30 day course, depending on what is being treated.

Here is a website that explains how traveler's diarrhea is managed. It does not include the new Xifaxin however.

http://www.wellontheroad.com/illnesses/diarrhea.html
Treatment Plan 1
Noroxin® (norfloxacin) 400 mg tablet or Cipro® (ciprofloxacin) 500 mg tablet - take one tablet twice a day for 3 days. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, or adolescents (under 18 years of age) should not use these antibiotics. These antibiotics should not be taken with antacids. They are specifically used for severe travelers' diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, or bloody stools. As a single-dose alternative, some authorities suggest two tablets of either Noroxin® or Cipro® accompanied by Imodium® AD or Lomotil®, if there is no fever and there are no bloody stools. Do not use Noroxin® or Cipro® with Bactrim® DS (or Septra® DS) or other antibiotics. Before taking any medication, dosage recommendations, contraindications, length of treatment, and possible side effects must be determined by a health care provider on an individual basis.
There is further information included at that website.

Some teaching hospitals will give the patient separate directions, to take
on the trip.

[Kira]

I have had Cipro for as short as a 3 day course for a UTI. It depends on the site of infection, the bug presumed responsible, etc. There is not a standard length of treatment for each antibiotic for all potential infections... lots of factors come into play when deciding which drug to use and how long to use it for.