Small dose of Cipro...still dangerous?

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Small dose of Cipro...still dangerous?

by R.
(Texas)

I'm so glad I found your website. I can't seem to find anyone who will even try to answer my questions.

I'm a female in my 30's, and my Doctor recently prescribed the generic of Cipro for me. I took 2 - 250mg doses before I found out that tendon rupture (among all the other CRAZY side effects)was a possible side effect.

I called my Doctor regarding my concerns and he told me to keep taking it even after I told him I do strenuous workouts (push ups, pull ups, weights) daily.

I've read so many terrible things about this medication and people's experiences on it, that I'm wondering if I discontinued use in time.

So far it's been 24hrs since my last dose and no noticeable pain. Both my Doctor and Pharmacist gave me the "don't worry about it, honey" sort of response.

I know it's a long shot, and that there is no definitive answer, but in your opinion do you think the 2 - 250mg doses of this drug would have an impact on my tendons? If that is too specific of a question, maybe this one will be better.

Have you heard of many cases where someone took as little as I did, didn't take any more, but still had lasting tendon effects (either tendonitis or tendon rupture)? I'm very concerned about these possible side effects. Within the last 2 years I've gotten in shape and am daily improving my exercise capabilities.

I will gladly go a little lighter if I know how long I should do that, but I dread the idea that I may have to give it up completely.

Thanks so much (in advance) for your time.
-R.

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Joshua Answers:

Hi R.

1. For what reason were you prescribed Cipro?

It is common for doctors to prescribe antibiotices for problems that should never be given antibiotics for.

And it's just as common to get a prescription for anti-biotics when a simpler, safer, natural solution is available.

Like UTI for instance. For the life of me I don't understand why antibiotics have become a common medical treatment for UTI. Or the common cold. Crazy.

It's like using a shotgun to remove a splinter.

But I digress....

2. Have I heard of people getting pain, tendonitis, and tendon rupture from 250mg doses of Cipro and other quinolones?

Have I heard of cases of damage after just a couple doses? Yes.

Yes. Is Cipro as bad as Levaquin? Statistically no.

Is it 'safer' to take low dosages than high dosages? Maybe. Unless you're the one that gets damage from low dosages and end up with quite-possibly-permanent tendon damage from taking Cipro.

Personally, I would run away from any doctor that shrugged off my concerns about -anything- in the way that you describe.

So the answer to your question is, 'Yes, you can take damage from just a couple small doses.' It's not a for sure thing, but it's kind of a 'you're screwed if it happens to you' thing.

Personally, I would never in a million years take a quinolone like Cipro. Maybe if I was actively dying and there was no other option...

So.

Why were you prescribed Cipro? I bet there's an alternative, depending on your situation. Between myself and my Kerri at www.Easy-Immune-Health.com I bet we can point you in the right direction.

Keep taking them or not, it's your choice. My personal and professional opinion is that it's not worth the risk.

Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com

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Small dose of Cipro...still dangerous?

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Jul 23, 2009
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RE; Small dose of Cipro...still dangerous?
by: R.

Hi Joshua, Thank you so much for your quick response!!

To answer your question, I am being treated for possible minor food poisoning or the stomach flu. My doctor was not very concerned...he didn't do any blood tests or swabs...he just gave me the prescription to, in his words, "cover all the bases."

He was pretty sure it would clear up all by itself. Which is what it will have to do now, because I'm certainly not taking any more of that prescription.

I do have one other question, that you may or may not be able to help me with. I took the first 250mg pill Tue evening and the second (and last) one on Wed morning.

With that time line in mind; when would you guess the Cipro would be out of my system; and when would it be "ok", with respect to my tendons, to start exercising again?

Thanks again for all your help!

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Joshua Cmments:

Hey, you're welcome.

It may be an interesting question to ask you doctor why he prescribed an anti-biotic for a stomach flu, which is viral.

Crazy. In my opinion, should be considered unethical. Antibiotics are handed out like candy in our medical system, and it is causing big problems on a variety of levels.

Combined with, if he thought it would take care of itself, why prescribe anything? Especially somethign with the risks of Cipro, Ciprofloxin, etc.

Unfortunatley, by 'cover all the bases', he also meant 'kill the good bacteria in your digestive tract that helps keep the bad bacteria under control'.

Anyhoo....

I don't remember the exact time the quinolone stays in the system, but it's 3 days or less.

I would wait a few days, just to be far, far on the conservative safe side. Having said that, if there's damage there's damage, and it doesn't matter if you exercise now or later.

And, numbers wise, it's not like you have a high chance of having a problem from taking the Cipro. Still, it's good to be aware of the risks and make your choices.

Jul 24, 2009
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Cipro joint pain, balance the risks with the benefits
by: Anonymous

Joshua

I took Cipro before, and it cause a lot of joint, muscle pain, soreness and lack of strenght etc, and overall discomfort, avoid taking any caffeine product or theophilline with it, you do not want to experience the side effect of it, I took 750 mg a day, but I had a severe infection, you have to balance your condition versus the side effect, that is a personal and doctor decision.

Good Luck
Aldo

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Joshua Comments

Hey Aldo. (I'm going with that this is the same Aldo from the Meniscus surgery thread)

Do you still have all that joint pain, muscle pain, lack of strength etc?

It's my impression that you are very active and athletic. What is your current status with the side effects of CIpro?

Jul 24, 2009
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Cipro
by: Aldo

Joshua

This is crazy, Cipro for stomach flu, doctors do not care, most of the times you should use your common sense and listen to your body, having a good doctor or a doctor you can trust is like having a good mechanic for your vehicle. Yes this is the same Aldo from the meniscus.

In my case I will stop the cipro immediately, quinolones are the most powerfull oral antibiotics, it should be taken only when a real severe infection is detected and is not control by any other less powerfull or specific antibiotic, or depending the grade of the infection.

I couldn't do any exercise because of the soreness and joint pain, I do not recommend nobody to workout taking this, the medication instructions also make this clear, I took it for 10 days/750 mg.

In my case took about 15 days to clear up or feel better in regard to the joint and muscle soreness, but I do not think that is the case, and for how long she has been taking cipro, I do not think she has taking that much, you have to see for yourself and listen what your body tells you, but exercise taking this is a no, no and on top of that if you got a stomach virus your body is not working properly, why bothering exercising, it will take longer to the virus clear up, it is better to rest for a few days

Aldo

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Joshua Comments:

Crazy indeed.

Antibiotics are utterly inneffective vs. the virus of a flu, stomach or otherwise.

Plus they kill the good bacteria that help keep the stomach ecology healthy and strong.

So Aldo, it sounds like you too, Cipro, had joint pain and muscle pain, and then the pain went away.

Is it still totally gone and away?

Like I was talking to R. about below, the nurtitional support and anti-inflammatory measures can help get rid of Ciprop and Levaquin Tendonitis side effects...-if- the quinolone poisoning only causes pain, but not -damage-.

At a certain point, quinolones can cause seemingly permanent damage.

If you had Cipro Tendonitis symptoms, and they're gone now, that's awesome. And it points to a range of damage possible, instead of 'I took Cipro, I have pain, now I'm screwed'.

And it makes sense that exercise is contraindicated (not advised). If your tendons, joints, and other connective tissue is compromised and you go putting strain on it, that could make rip and tear damage worse, or even just make it likely and possible.

So yeah, R. didn't take a lot, and she's probably not at risk at all if she stops taking it and doesn't work out for a few days.

And, some people, for whatever reason, take a dose or two and BAM they've got serious problems.

I'd just as soon not be one of those.

Joshua

Jul 27, 2009
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Small dose of Cipro...still dangerous?
by: Aldo

Yeah Joshua

I am pain free now, but I take supplements and I have a good nutrional support for this. I will keep it up like that.

Regards
Aldo

Feb 15, 2010
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CIPRO FOR PROSTATITIS?
by: david

i started takin cipro at 250mg aday for months then stoped for a while and started again on and off for 18 mnths for prostatitis, i feel like i'm dying.

all sorts of on off pains and massive headaches and feel ill.

its dangerous i beleive, do be very carefull because i feel like an old man and i'm only 44.

it eased my prostate pain yes but further down the line nearly destroys you, i sumtimes wish i'd never taken it

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Small dose of Cipro...still dangerous?

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