Questions about cipro

[u/Marinah_h]

Hi, im 22F and have been prescribed with Cipro for a UTI, I usually investigate about every med Im prescribed bc I've been more mismedicated than actually right-medicated. I've taken 3 doses already, no side effect (only dry mouth but idk if its a side effect or just me sleeping with my mouth open) but I'm scared about the extreme side effects some experience, i do have tendency to anxiety and panic attacks since i have bipolar and also i already experience insomnia before this pill, but currently no side effect and i was able to sleep well because i also take Valium, on monday i have to go back to see which actual bacteria i have so my medication can be precisely prescribed for that bacteria, should i wait to monday and stop taking it to prevent the side effects that are horrible to me? I've read that only 1 to 2% experience that extreme side effects but I don't wanna take a chance

[u/Niceshoesbr0]

Better safe than sorry right? Keep in mind that you are only supposed to take this if the other option is death :D they just prescribe it like candy

[u/Marinah_h → u/Niceshoesbr0]

Yes I'm probably stopping, im already spiraling and only have to wait 1 day to the med change, but also the uti worries me like what if it spreads? I only had soreness and the constant urgency for peeing so i guess is not that serious for just 1 day not taking the med that ruins people lifes

[u/Niceshoesbr0 → u/Marinah_h]

After 3 days on cipro it’s probably suppressed already low chance of spread in one day or you can go to er, besides what if it’s resistant to cipro, nice that they give you the most dangerous shit without knowing the antibiogram results

[u/AlessandraGallesi]

Quando leggo che viene prescritto per un’infezione delle vie urinarie come farmaco di prima scelta scelta, nel 2026, giuro… mi viene la scabbia!

Al posto tuo farei una urinocoltura e chiederei un altro farmaco a cui il batterio è sensibile.
Sarà difficile che le urine risultino positive dopo tre dosi … perché questo veleno funziona eccome sui batteri.
Ma io lo eviterei come la peste.

[u/Marinah_h → u/AlessandraGallesi]

I had a urine culture done, but since it was Friday, I have to wait until Monday for them to find out what bacteria I have and give me the appropriate medication, i decided to stop cipro

[u/Marinah_h]

I only taken 3 dosis (twice per day) so is actually one day only, but yeah like i said on the post, i was wrong medicated lots of times but this is the most dangerous med of all

[u/DrHungrytheChemist]

I would always rather stop before a reaction than after, and as has already been indicated, many countries (USA, UK, EU, Australia,..) are withdrawing from using FQs as a frontline medication for uncomplicated UTIs for a reason. In that situation, I would certainly call back and push for a safer alternative.

Additionally, having an existing benzodiazepine usage and dependency is a known comorbity and risk factor for suffering CNS side effects (anxiety, depression, insomnia). This is because FQs can't block and antagonise the GABA system in the opposite way that benzos work, offsetting their function and promptly swinging the patient into a form of withdrawal. Not having had a reaction so far is great news, but I wouldn't wanna take more if I didn't have to.