Ciprofloxacin and training?

Other Discussions Training Discussion
1

I was prescribed 500mg of ciprofloxacin twice a day for 10 days to treat an infection. Should I adjust training or is the increased risk of tendonopathy overstated?

2

This should probably be asked in the “Medical Q/A with Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum and Dr. Austin Baraki” forum and not this one. This is unmoderated meaning the Docs are probably not watching/replying.

3

Obviously I would try to get the educated opinion of one of the Doc’s, but I can speak from personal experience that my right distal bicep ruptured back in July 2018, exactly 6 weeks after completing a full prescription dose of Cipro.

I caught my 850# motorcycle just prior to it hitting the sidewalk after the kickstand failed. As I was walking it back up from a full-squat position, the passenger backrest where the majority of the weight was centered on my right hand (and fully flexed bicep) caused the bicep to detach from the forearm near the elbow when the the backrest shifted slightly and then stopped suddenly. That little pop while my arm was fully flexed, caused the bicep to roll up like a window shade into the front deltoid area. Looked way worse than it felt at the time (probably due to shock), but the aftermath of two surgeries has been hell. BOTTOM LINE: If you are an active weight lifter or weekend warrior athlete do NOT take Cipro unless your life depends on it. Studies have shown that it can affect the tendons (especially the achilles tendon) for up to 9 months after completing the prescribed dosages. My bicep ruptured exactly 6 weeks after taking my last Cipro. It has been hell since and my bicep will never be the same. Looks like pathetic version of it’s former self and cramps often when loading or holding even a 20# - 30# grandchild. DO NOT TAKE CIPROFLOXACIN!

4

Cipro has a “Black box warning.” FDA adds “black box” warning label to fluoroquinolone antibiotics

It amazes my that some doctors don’t inquire about a patient’s activities when prescribing this class of drugs. I went to an urgent care a couple of years ago for a cat bite and the doctor (Md, not a PA or NP) handed me a script for Cipro. I turned to her and said, “I workout, I’d prefer not to use this drug due to the risk of tendon rupture.” She relied, “Good point” and prescribed another drug instead.

SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

  1. Fluoroquinolones, including Cipro, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS], including:

  2. Tendinitis and tendon rupture [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

  3. Peripheral neuropathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

  4. Central nervous system effects [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]