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Ciprofloxacin

Medication fluoroquinolone antibiotic antibiotic
Aka: Cipro, Ciprobay
Brands seen in Singapore: Microflox, C-Flox, Cetraxal, Cycin, Qupron, Ciprobay
Not medical advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change the timing of anything you take.
How to use
What it’s for
Prescribed for bacterial infections — your doctor decides
When to take
NHS: usually twice a day · HealthHub: SAMe time each day
Take with
Water · HealthHub: not with milk, dairy or calcium
Pros & cons
Pros
  • HealthHub: tablets work with or without food
  • NHS: broad-spectrum — covers many infection types
  • NHS: symptoms often improve in about 2 to 3 days
Cons
  • NHS: kept for when other antibiotics do not suit
  • Tendon, joint and nerve problems are a known risk
  • HealthHub: mood changes, seizures, sun sensitivity
Sources
  1. HSA — Listing of Registered Therapeutic Products (data.gov.sg open dataset, 5,511 rows, pulled via datastore_search API) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “All 25 registered ciprofloxacin products are Forensicclassification 'Prescription Only' — SIN08940P MICROFLOX-250 · SIN11302P C-FLOX 250 · SIN14596P CETRAXAL EAR DROPS · SIN10370P CYCIN 250 · SIN09569P QUPRON · SIN03028P CIPROBAY 250”
  2. NHS Medicines A-Z — About ciprofloxacin (brand names: Ciproxin, Ciloxan, Cetraxal) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones … used to treat a number of bacterial infections, such as uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) where other antibiotics are not suitable … only available on prescription”
  3. NHS Medicines A-Z — About ciprofloxacin: key facts · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Ciprofloxacin tablets and liquid are only used when no other antibiotics are suitable, because there's a risk of serious and long-term side effects … you should start to see your symptoms improve within about 2 to 3 days”
  4. NHS Medicines A-Z — How and when to take or use ciprofloxacin: dosage and strength · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Ciprofloxacin is available in different strengths. It comes as 100mg, 250mg, 500mg and 750mg tablets; a liquid that contains 250mg in 5ml. The usual dose of ciprofloxacin tablets or liquid is 250mg to 750mg twice a day”
  5. NHS Medicines A-Z — How and when to take or use ciprofloxacin: eye and ear drop dosage · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Dosage for ciprofloxacin eye drops: The usual dose is 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye 4 times a day. Dosage for ciprofloxacin ear drops: You'll usually use up to 5 drops, twice a day”
  6. NHS Medicines A-Z — Who can and cannot take or use ciprofloxacin · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Most adults and children aged 1 year and over can take or use ciprofloxacin … speak to your doctor … if you have ever had depression, anxiety … an abdominal aortic aneurysm … problems with your tendons … epilepsy … diabetes”
  7. NHS Medicines A-Z — Side effects of ciprofloxacin · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “These common side effects of ciprofloxacin happen in more than 1 in 100 people … Feeling sick (nausea) … Diarrhoea … Stop taking ciprofloxacin and call your doctor … if you have muscle weakness, pain or swelling in your joints or tendons”
  8. NHS Medicines A-Z — Taking or using ciprofloxacin with other medicines and herbal supplements · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “antacids for heartburn or indigestion – take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before antacids or at least 4 hours after … methotrexate … phenytoin … steroids … theophylline … tizanidine … warfarin … Iron tablets, calcium and zinc supplements can affect ciprofloxacin”
  9. HealthHub (MOH Singapore / Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore) — Ciprofloxacin medication information leaflet · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. These infections may include those of the lungs, digestive system, urinary system, bone, joints, eyes and ears … You may take this medication with or without food”
  10. HealthHub — Ciprofloxacin leaflet: precautions · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Inform your healthcare professional if: You have any other medical conditions such as: Epilepsy (fits or seizures); Myasthenia gravis … You have existing heart problems or are on any medicine that regulates your heartbeat … glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency”
  11. HealthHub — Ciprofloxacin leaflet: common and serious side effects · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite … Diarrhoea … Dizziness, drowsiness … Increased sensitivity to sunlight … Painful swelling of the joints or tendons … Change in mood, thoughts or behaviour … Seizures (fits) … Severe and bloody diarrhoea”
  12. HealthHub — Ciprofloxacin leaflet: food and medicines to avoid · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Avoid consuming the following … with Ciprofloxacin: Milk-containing products or dairy products; Indigestion remedies (e.g. Antacids); Medicines or supplements that contain aluminium, calcium, iron, magnesium or zinc … 2 hours before or 6 hours after”
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Updated 2026-08-29. Every line above traces to a numbered source. Kozen-X is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. It lists what published sources have written down — nothing more. A pair not listed is unrecorded, not cleared. Before you start, stop or re-time anything, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.