How long does Cipro take to work?
Although ciprofloxacin starts working within hours of taking it, you may not notice an improvement in your symptoms for 2 to 3 days. For some infections, such as osteomyelitis (a bone infection), it may take up to a week before you show any improvement.
Taking ciprofloxacin with dairy products, such as milk or yogurt, or with calcium supplements can also affect absorption and delay how quickly ciprofloxacin starts to work.
Even once you feel better, it is important to finish the course of ciprofloxacin that your doctor prescribed. This will ensure the infection doesn’t return quickly.
References
- Ciprofloxacin. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/#:~:text=For%20most%20infections%2C%20you%20should,feel%20worse%20at%20any%20time.
- Ciprofloxacin. Revised 08/2021. AHFS DI Essentials https://www.drugs.com/monograph/ciprofloxacin.html
Read next
Related medical questions
- How long does ciprofloxacin stay in your system when finished?
- Can I use Cipro to treat a bacterial vaginitis infection?
- Ciprofloxacin - can you crush Cipro 500 tablets and mix with food?
- What is the best antibiotic to treat a sinus infection?
- What medications can affect your taste or smell?
- What antibiotics are used to treat UTI?
- Does a UTI always need to be treated with an antibiotic?
- What happens if antibiotics don’t work for UTI?
- Does Flagyl treat UTI infections?
- UTI vs Bladder vs Yeast Infections - What's the difference?
- Does Cranberry interact with any drugs?
- Does Bactrim cause headaches?
- What dose of co-trimoxazole is used in a patient with a UTI?
- How to treat a UTI at home?
- Can clarithromycin be used to treat UTI's?
- What is "dual release" nitrofurantoin?
- Does cranberry juice help prevent a UTI?
- How do you get a bladder infection?
- How do you know if you have a bladder infection?
- Do I have a Urinary Tract Infection?
- What type of drug is Zemdri?
- What drugs are contained in Vabomere?
- What do I need to know about Medications/Vaccinations before I Travel?
- Smart use of Antibiotics
Drug information
Related support groups
- Cipro (68 questions, 157 members)
- Ciprofloxacin (55 questions, 133 members)
- Urinary Tract Infection (198 questions, 595 members)
- Bacterial Infection (134 questions, 274 members)
- Sinusitis (93 questions, 229 members)
- Skin and Structure Infection (15 questions, 30 members)
- Traveler's Diarrhea (7 questions, 5 members)
- Osteomyelitis (4 questions, 26 members)
- Surgical Prophylaxis (3 questions, 5 members)
- Tuberculosis - Active (2 questions, 11 members)
- Pneumonia with Cystic Fibrosis (1 questions, 3 members)
