Patient was educated on the side effects of using Ciprofloxacin as follows:

  1. Opportunistic fungal infections
  • The friendly normal flora residing in the human body help prevent growth of opportunistic infections.
  • Ciprofloxacin by destroying the normal flora, tips the balance in favor of opportunistic infections.
  • So, long term use of Ciprofloxacin carries a risk of opportunistic fungal infections, such as, thrush and yeast infections.
  1. Peripheral neuropathy
  • Long term Ciprofloxacin intake can lead to serious problems of the peripheral nerves, thus resulting in altered sensations, such as, pain and numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the extremities.
  • These altered sensations can result in disturbance in the touch, pain, temperature, and pressure sensations in the extremities, contributing towards changes in the vibration and body position sense.
  • This can lead to falls and accidents, thus jeopardizing safety. Ciprofloxacin use can also result in slowing down of conduction of nerve impulses, resulting in muscle weakness.
  1. Tendinitis
  • Ciprofloxacin use can result in inflammation and rupture of tendons in the extremities, thus contributing towards compromised motor skills, such as, ambulation and transfers.