Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is ciprofloxacin. It is an antibiotic that treats infections caused by bacteria. It cannot treat infections caused by viruses, like the common cold.

You should take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. You can take it with or without food. You should drink plenty of fluids when you are taking this medicine.

It is important to not miss doses, and to take it for as long as your doctor recommends. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a rash. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

There are 5 things you can do to help use this medicine safely:

-Wait until you know how this medicine affects you before you do activities that require you to be alert, like driving.
-Tell your doctor if you feel lightheaded, dizzy or anxious.
-Limit your time in the sun and wear protective clothing.
-Avoid exercise. This may help protect your tendons from damage, especially the ones in your ankles.
-And lastly, if you have diabetes, watch closely for blood sugar readings that are low or high.

As with any medicine, serious side effects could occur. With this medicine, it is very important to read the medication guide to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report them. This medicine is not recommended for people who have myasthenia gravis.

Ciprofloxacin can interact with other medicines. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines. 

For best results with ciprofloxacin, let your doctor know if your condition does not improve.