When you receive medications from your local distribution site, the pharmacist attaches a medication guide that provides FDA-approved information. The medication data listed on this guide will provide useful information about why this medicine has been prescribed, how the medicine should be used, and any precautions that need to be followed.
Other information may include dietary instructions, what to do if you forget a dose, possible side effects of the medication, what to do in case of an emergency or overdose, and more. Please retain these medication guides.
Drug Fact Information
What is ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin is a prescription medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has allowed certain uses of ciprofloxacin, including its use with no prescription, for this emergency. Do not be alarmed if the medicine you receive from public health officials has an expired date on the package. FDA has authorized its use because testing of the medicine was found to be both safe and effective past the expiration date.
How do I take ciprofloxacin?
Adults and those children weighing 110 pounds (50 kg) or more: Take 1 pill (500 mg) in the morning with or without food and with a full glass of water and take 1 pill (500 mg) in the evening with or without food and with a full glass of water.
Children weighing less than 110 pounds (50 kg), dose is determined based on child’s weight: Follow instructions provided on the ciprofloxacin suspension label that you were given.
Ciprofloxacin may not work as well when taken with some medicines. Take it 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking: antacids, multivitamins or supplements with magnesium, calcium, aluminum, iron, and/or zinc, sucralfate (Carafate), quinapril, sevelamer, bismuth subsalicylate, Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate, or other products for indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea
* Do not take this drug along with dairy products, like milk or yogurt, or calcium-rich juices. This drug may be taken with a full meal if the meal has these products.
Taking a blood thinner, such as Coumadin (Warfarin) may affect INR levels when combined with this medication. Please talk to a healthcare provider before taking. If you get an upset stomach when you take the medicine, take it with food. You may get sunburned more easily while taking this medication. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun. If you miss a pill, take only your next pill at the time you are supposed to – Do not take 2 pills at once. Keep the pills dry. Store them at room temperature (between 68–77°F or 20-25°C). Keep pill bottles away from children and pets. Call the poison center if they take the medicine by accident (1-800-222-1222).
Who should NOT take ciprofloxacin?
Do not take ciprofloxacin if you have had a severe allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin or another fluoroquinolone drug. Ciprofloxacin has multiple drug-drug interactions, therefore patients that take several different medicines, see more than one doctor, and/or have certain health conditions, should talk to a healthcare provider before taking ciprofloxacin to avoid potentials problems. Ciprofloxacin should not be used in patients at increased risk unless there are no other treatment options available People at increased risk include those with a history of blockages or aneurysms (abnormal bulges) of the aorta or other blood vessels, high blood pressure, certain genetic disorders that involve blood vessel changes, and the elderly. Patients who are taking tizanidine (Zanaflex) should not be taking ciprofloxacin. Patients experiencing QT Interval Prolongation should not take ciprofloxacin. Patients with low magnesium and/or low potassium should not take ciprofloxacin.
STOP taking this medicine if you get any of these serious, but rare, side effects. Get medical help right away (go to the emergency room or call 911): swelling of the tongue, hands, or feet, closing of the throat or trouble breathing, severe itching or rash, especially hives and wheals, severe stomach cramps with high fever or bloody diarrhea, yellowing of the eyes or skin or dark-colored urine, low blood glucose, pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle, pain when swallowing, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe headaches, dizziness, or double vision. Keep taking the medicine if you have: headaches, mild nausea or vomiting, upset stomach or loose stools.
Are there other possible severe side effects?
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Signs of low mood (depression), thoughts of killing yourself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
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Unable to pass urine, change in the amount of urine passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
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Increases in the risk of developing tendinitis (swelling of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) or having a tendon rupture (tearing of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) during treatment or for up to several months afterward.
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Muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness).
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Significant decreases in blood sugar and certain mental health side effects.
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Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
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Very bad dizziness, passing out, or bad headache.
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Feeling very tired or weak.
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Change in eyesight.
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Change in thinking clearly and with logic, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or bad dreams.
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Any bruising or bleeding.
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Muscle pain or weakness.
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Call your doctor right away if you have signs of nerve problems like not able to handle heat or cold, a lower sense of touch, or burning, numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet.
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Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
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Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
How do I report side effects or medication errors?
Tell your doctor right away and report side effects or medication errors to MedWatch at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. Information provided is only a brief summary of general information about this medication. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medication. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information that you receive from your healthcare provider.
What is doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a prescription medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has allowed certain uses of doxycycline, including its use with no prescription, for this emergency. Do not be alarmed if the medicine you receive from public health officials has an expired date on the package. The FDA has authorized its use because testing of the medicine was found to be both safe and effective past the expiration date
How do I take doxycycline?
Adults and those 8 years and older and children weighing 99 pounds (45 kg) or more:
Take 1 pill (100 mg) in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and take 1 pill (100 mg) in the evening on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. May be taken with food or milk if medication causes an upset stomach. If you cannot swallow pills, follow the crushing and mixing directions you were given; the directions are also available on the FDA website at www.fda.gov (search for “doxy crushing”).
Children weighing less than 99 pounds (45 kg), dose is determined based on child’s weight
Follow instructions provided on the liquid doxycycline label or crushing and mixing directions that you were given. The crushing and mixing directions are also available on the FDA website at www.fda.gov (search for “doxy crushing”).
Doxycycline may not work as well when taken with some medicines. Take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking: antacids, multivitamins or supplements with calcium, iron, and/or magnesium, sodium bicarbonate, Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate, or other products for indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea.
Please talk to a healthcare provider before taking medications that can interfere with doxycycline, such as the following medications: Coumadin (warfarin), methotrexate, retinoid medication, seizure medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), and/or other antibacterials, such as macrolides, penicillin, and rifampin.
If you get an upset stomach when you take the medicine, take it with food or milk. If you miss a pill, take only your next pill at the time you are supposed to – Do not take 2 pills at once. Keep the pills dry. Store them at room temperature (between 68–77°F or 20-25°C). Keep pill bottles away from children and pets. Call the poison center if they take the medicine by accident (1-800-222-1222).
Who should NOT take doxycycline?
Do not take doxycycline if you have had an allergic reaction to doxycycline or a tetracycline medication.
STOP taking this medicine if you get any of these serious, but rare, side effects. Get medical help right away (go to the emergency room or call 911): swelling of the tongue, hands, or feet, closing of the throat or trouble breathing severe itching or rash, especially hives and wheals, severe stomach cramps with high fever or bloody diarrhea, yellowing of the eyes or skin or dark-colored urine pain when swallowing, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe headaches, dizziness, or double vision. Keep taking the medicine if you have: vaginal yeast infection, mild nausea or vomiting, upset stomach, and/or loose stools.
Are there other possible severe side effects?
Serious liver problems (liver failure), sensitivity to the sun, slowed bone growth in children, and discolored teeth or poor tooth enamel in children younger than 8 years and in children whose mothers took doxycycline during the last half of pregnancy or while nursing. Birth control pills may not be as effective when taken with this medicine. Use another form of birth control until you finish taking all of your doxycycline.
How do I report side effects or medication errors?
Tell your doctor right away and report side effects or medication errors to MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. Information provided is only a brief summary of general information about this medication. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medication. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information that you receive from your healthcare provider.
What is amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is a prescription penicillin medicine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has allowed certain uses of amoxicillin, including its use with no prescription, for this emergency. Do not be alarmed if the medicine you receive from public health officials has an expired date on the package. The FDA has authorized its use because testing of the medicine was found to be both safe and effective past the expiration date.
How do I take amoxicillin?
Adults and those children weighing 88 pounds (40 kg) or more: 1,000 mg orally every 8 hours
Children weighing less than 88 pounds (40 kg): 75 mg/kg/day divided into 3 doses. Max dose: 1,000 mg/dose
Follow instructions provided on the amoxicillin suspension label that you were given. For oral suspension: Shake well before using. Measure with marked measuring device. Keep this medicine refrigerated. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days. You may mix the oral liquid with a baby formula, milk, fruit juice, water, ginger ale, or another cold drink. Be sure the child drinks all of the mixture immediately.
Please talk to a healthcare provider before taking medications that can interfere with amoxicillin, such as the following medications: Coumadin (Warfarin), allopurinol or probenecid used to treat gout, other antibacterials, such as macrolides or tetracycline, and/or methotrexate. You may take your medicine with or without food or milk, but food or milk may help you avoid upset stomach. If you miss a pill, take only your next pill at the time you are supposed to – Do not take 2 pills at once. Keep the pills dry. Store them at room temperature (between 68–77°F or 20-25°C). Keep pill bottles away from children and pets. Call the poison center if they take the medicine by accident (1-800-222-1222).
Who should NOT take amoxicillin?
Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. An expert review with amoxicillin uses during pregnancy concluded that therapeutic doses during pregnancy are unlikely to pose a substantial risk for birth defects. However, there is no data available to assess the effects of long-term therapy in pregnant women, such as that proposed for treatment of anthrax exposure. Amoxicillin passes into breast milk but is considered "usually compatible with breastfeeding" by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, penicillin, or cephalosporin antibiotics such as Keflex or Ceclor.
STOP taking this medicine if you get any of these serious, but rare, side effects: swelling of the tongue, hands, or feet, closing of the throat or trouble breathing, severe itching or rash (especially hives), severe stomach cramps with high fever or bloody diarrhea, yellowing of the eyes or skin or dark-colored urine, unusual bruising, and/or seizures. Get medical help right away (go to the emergency room or call 911). KEEP taking the medicine if you have: headaches, mild nausea or vomiting, upset stomach, loose stools, itching of the mouth or vagina lasting more than 2 days.
Are there other possible severe side effects?
Birth control pills may not be as effective when taken with this medicine. Use another form of birth control until you finish taking all of your amoxicillin. Amoxicillin can rarely cause a severe intestinal condition with diarrhea due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool.
How do I report side effects, adverse events, or medication errors? Tell your doctor right away and report side effects or medication errors to MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. Information provided is only a brief summary of general information about this medication. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medication. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information that you receive from your healthcare provider.
