Ciprofloxacin User Reviews & Ratings
Brand names: Cipro, Cipro Cystitis Pack, Cipro I.V., Cipro XR
Ciprofloxacin has an average rating of 5.0 out of 10 from a total of 935 reviews on Drugs.com. 37% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 46% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Ciprofloxacin
- HL3...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 31, 2020
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Prescribed Cipro every 12 hours for a urinary infection, but only took 3 doses as my side effects felt terrible. I had the worst headache I've ever felt. It felt like there was so much pressure in my head that it could explode. My muscles started to ache, and my body would tingle. I had absolutely no energy, and felt like my brain wasn't even working, and like I was in a different body. Complete disconnect from reality. Trouble staying asleep at night, and just laid awake in pain. Back pain, neck stiffness, and my vision blurred. Worst thing I have ever experienced. Called my doctor before I was supposed to take the next dose to get something new and instantly felt better. Hoping this new one works without the side effects as I'm terrified to feel that way ever again."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 16, 2020
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "At 52, got my first UTI and I can say it was absolutely awful; ended up in ER because symptoms seemed to come fast and severe. Was prescribed 500 mg ciprofloxacin 2X a day for 7 days. Within 4 hours, I started to feel better. Pain and urgency to urinate decreased dramatically. (Thought it was in my head... how could it work so fast?) No side effects. Rarely on antibiotics which is maybe why it works so well for me."
Frequently asked questions
- How long does Cipro take to work?
- What is the best antibiotic to treat a sinus infection?
- What medications can affect your taste or smell?
- How long does ciprofloxacin stay in your system when finished?
- Anonymous
- June 8, 2016
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I had no side effects and it cleared up my infection well! Scary reviews can scare you but don't ever forget YOUR body is different than someone else's therefore drugs can affect you differently than someone else."
- Son...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 6, 2019
For Urinary Tract Infection "NO ONE SHOULD BE GIVEN THIS MEDICATION CIPROFLOXACIN UNLESS IT IS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION! Horrible drug! I was given this medication 10 months ago for a simple UTI from kidney stones and my life is a complete nightmare now. It has put me in constant debilitating nerve pain, caused severe muscle atrophy, and central nervous system issues. I can no longer drive a car, or even sit more than a few minutes, cannot walk without tremors or risk of falling, it damaged my knees and caused severe spine pain, anxiety, insomnia, and dizziness. It has stolen my life. At 54 years old my independence is completely gone! They list these side effects as rare but there are hundreds of thousands of us out here with the same heartbreaking story..."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Del...
- February 12, 2017
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I had a mild UTI that I was trying to treat naturally, but it didn't go away. So, I was forced to try an antibiotic. I was prescribed Cipro for 5 days. I had no side effects at all and felt 100% by day 3. I continued taking them through the 5th day even though all symptoms were already gone."
- ajm...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 28, 2014
For Bladder Infection "I took Cipro (500mg 2x/day) for a bladder infection, and the only side effect I got was some drowsiness. A few days into taking it, I made the mistake of reading medication reviews, and I thought for sure it was going to slowly kill me. Well, I don't know if any other side effects are going to creep up on me in the future, but I can assure you that the actual course of medicine worked just the way it was supposed to, with no serious side effects. The conclusion--there are either a ton of people with psychosomatic tendencies, or I am some sort of anomaly."
More FAQ
- What antibiotics are used to treat UTI?
- Ciprofloxacin - can you crush Cipro 500 tablets and mix with food?
- Mom...
- October 16, 2019
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I just read mom of 4, and I also have had a UTI for 8 months straight. I have been in 8 rounds of antibiotics, and nothing is completely ridding me of my UTI. I did a CT scan and MRI, and blood work, and all is clear. I’m on Cipro again, and this round also seems to not be working. Is this the end where you just have a UTI till you get sepsis or an antibiotic-resistant infection? Is there hope?"
- Mam...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- September 7, 2014
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I've been suffering from urinary tract infections for most of my adult life. The first doctor that prescribed Cipro for me was a 'Saint'! Nothing else works for me like it. I take 500mg twice a day for a week to 10 days. I insist on this medication. I've never had any issues with any side effects... Only amazing relief! I'm now in my late 60's and I still take this when I have a UTI."
- Dre...
- January 4, 2016
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was suffering from a UTI for over 2 weeks. Burning had stopped but was losing my mind over how severe the urgency was. I got prescribed Macrobid. After 4 days of no relief, I went to the ER and got prescribed Cipro 500mg two times a day for 5 days. I took my second pill and my symptoms are 98% gone. The only side effect was a bit of anxiety after the first pill. But, this could've been because I had read so many scary reviews. I'm truly grateful for this drug. I was sleepless and restless to the point of depression. So happy something is finally helping!"
- Ski...
- February 3, 2015
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Wow, many of your reviews are very helpful. I am a vibrant, healthy & semi-athletic post-menopausal female. I ignored symptoms which were later diagnosed as UTI; acute abdomen pressure, urge to urinate every few minutes with pulsing, and finally, bloody urine. Cipro worked for me within the 1st 24 hrs... 500 mg 2x p/day for 5 days... No side effects, only relief..."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 10, 2012
Ciprofloxacin for Prostatitis "Very discouraged after taking 10 days of Sulfa and 2 weeks of Doxycycline that my family doctor prescribed. Symptoms got better but never went away. Went to a Urologist and he said his first choice is definitely Cipro. Also said that Doxy is a 'static' drug and WILL NOT kill the bacteria, it will only stop replication. Cipro kills it. I've also searched the web up and down for answers and almost all say it takes 4-6 weeks of taking a Cipro-related drug. Finishing up week 6 of Cipro and all my symptoms are GONE and feel normal again! Going to take another week to be on the safe side. Give this time to work...it's not an overnight fix. Frustrating, but true. Also, no side effects either."
- Sam...
- May 22, 2015
For Sinusitis "I had a very bad sinus infection and was treated with Bactrim. That didn't work, so my ENT prescribed Cipro. Yes, it's a strong drug, but within 2 days I felt better. And let me tell you, I was very sick. I don't have any side effects yet, it's been four days (2x day). I want to recommend to folks who are looking at everyone's comments that most people who have had a good experience with this drug don't post anything. So make your own decisions and don't be dissuaded from trying this drug."
- Kat...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 15, 2017
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I was panicked reading all these reviews, but it worked great for me and got rid of my UTI after three other useless antibiotics. Bit of usual antibiotic side effects, e.g., stomach pain, but nothing really bad and nothing that lasted."
- tho...
- March 13, 2009
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Used ciprofloxacin frequently for several years for chronic urinary tract infections. Ended up with painful urination frequently. After much money spent on tests for bladder cancer, I discovered that blood in the urine is a rare, but serious, side effect of ciprofloxacin. So all those times I thought I had a bladder infection, I had a ciprofloxacin-induced condition. Blood (not usually visible to the naked eye) in urine, but makes urinating very painful nonetheless. A word to the wise. We consumers have to do our research on side effects."
- PES...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 4, 2019
Ciprofloxacin for Diverticulitis "DO NOT TAKE THIS POISON! I was given Cipro for Diverticulitis 2 years ago. Please read every precaution & side effect of this drug. It affects your DNA, and never leaves your body. My right leg went into a spasm, I couldn't walk for over a month! The tendons and ligaments in my ankles, knees, thumbs, neck, and back started cracking, which has caused a crippling effect to this day. All the toes in my left foot are numb. It has changed my life, and I still have depressing days. My advice is never take this drug, you will never be the same! Just research Floxie Hope to see how many others have been affected."
- Tom...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 2, 2020
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Cipro was very effective in treating my bladder infection after another antibiotic failed to work at all. Within 24 hours, my fever and pain had subsided, and I was feeling much better. Cipro works great!"
- Yag...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 9, 2025
For Urinary Tract Infection "In just 2 hours after taking the first pill, the strong smell in the urine disappeared. I thought it was my imagination. I had been having this problem for a month. I thought it would take days, but from what I read, it is really fast. But of course, I will take the 7 days that the doctor prescribed to kill the bacteria 100%, otherwise they will come back with resistance."
- Rus...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 14, 2020
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Cipro was terrible. I was given an 8-day supply for a UTI and started having sharp joint and leg pain on day 6. For the next 15 days, I had problems walking because of the pain. I will never take it again!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 10, 2015
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I am reading the comments, and I am really surprised at how long and at how high a dosage some people with urinary tract infections are reporting. I went to the doctor this morning because I have a UTI, but I was given 6 Cipro pills, each 250 mg to be taken twice a day. From what I understand, most doctors will try this 3-day fix and not put you on an extended dose. I am reading comments that some people are on for 10 days. I am all for stamping out an infection, but I want to do it with as little medication as possible. So far so good. Who knows, I might need a new prescription, but for now, I am hoping that this modest approach of a 3-day treatment will do the trick."
- Rev...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 16, 2013
Ciprofloxacin for Kidney Infections "I have chronic urinary tract infections. Every time I know one is coming on, I go to my doctor and this is what is prescribed. This last urinary tract infection I couldn't get treated because I have no insurance and didn't have the money for the office visit. So I tried to wait it out or flush it with water. It eventually turned to a Kidney Infection and I was put on this medication. It does the trick within a day every time."
- leg...
- October 16, 2010
Ciprofloxacin for Bladder Infection "Cipro is magical when it comes to bladder infections. Please do not drink milk and please make sure you eat a cracker, a piece of bread or other food prior to taking this medication. It is by far the strongest and most effective for severe bladder infections. Within just hours you no longer feel that constant annoying urgency to urinate and the pain of the oncoming infection lessens the first day of taking Cipro. And, lastly, however most importantly, do not have intercourse for at least a week or longer."
- Sir...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- August 26, 2018
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I get UTIs about once a year (bad enough to cause bleeding). I go to Urgent Care and get Cipro. It works wonders. Within 3-4 hours after taking only one pill, the urgency and burning sensations are reduced to a bearable level. After 2 or 3 pills, everything feels like normal again. Cipro is great for me. Unfortunately, not everyone reacts the same to medications. It might be the worst thing ever for some people, but I've never had any adverse reactions to Cipro."
- GoG...
- July 13, 2013
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "Worked wonderfully. Was on Bactrim for a week with no relief, but after my first pill of Cipro I felt 100 times better and was sleeping through the night. On my fourth day of taking and no side effects and feeling awesome."
- Anonymous
- August 28, 2012
Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I have had bladder and kidney infections all my life, and Cipro has been a lifesaver for over 25 years. I have never experienced any side effects, and feel better within hours/days depending on the severity of my symptoms. I take Cranberry supplements on a regular basis, and it seems to aid in preventing urinary tract infections."
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Ciprofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "6-8 years ago, I used to have a UTI every other month. Cipro was my go-to because I'm allergic to most others. It always worked. Haven't had an infection for at least 2-3 years until now. Cipro took care of it 100% in 3 days. It isn't easy on the digestive system, and definitely have to follow all instructions on the bottle (don't take with calcium or before anything fortified with vitamins & minerals and stay out of the sun!), but it works! The things I did to stop getting UTIs: no baths, only showers; urinate before and after sex, lots of water and not too many caffeinated drinks, don't try to 'hold it' (if you gotta go, then go!). Taking cranberry daily is helpful also."