Can Cipro Cause Constipation?

Posted on Wed, 21 Oct 2015

Question: I am taking Cipro for a severe Kidney infection last week. I now have a very extended bloated belly and I haven't had a bowel movement in 3 days. I know there are many things I cannot take while on this course of medication but what do I do about going to the bathroom?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please see description

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank You for contacting HCM. My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Following measures will help you in reducing the problem:

1. Increase Dietary fiber intake:
It is available in multiple forms like fresh fruits, vegetables & cereals.

2. Increase fluids intake:
it is the key to treatment. Take at least 8-10 glasses of water daily. Avoid milk & milk products because in some cases it aggravates constipation.

3. Oral stool softeners:
They are easy to use and have shown good results. Some of the OTC includes Colace & Surfak. Avoid long term use.

4. Methyl Cellulose is a bulk producing laxative & is OTC. You can take 2 caplets after every 6hrs.

I would suggest you to first go with dietary management. If it persists then you can go for OTC medicines. Hopefully you will see improvement in 1-2 days BUT if condition remains same or aggravates then you need to visit hospital for further management.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (18 minutes later)

That answer is extremely generic and I'm not going to wait to days for vegetables to work. I have drank over 2 cases of bottled water since Saturday. That's not helping either. This is the worst website to find information on. I just want a solution, not skirting around the issue. I'm in a lot of pain and I know I can find an easier answer than this. I could have read that on the back of a magazine.

Thank you for zero help.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please see description

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I'm sorry for if it was not up to your expectations. Whenever a patient comes with such complaints then medical personal does not directly goes to i/v management until or unless there is acute emergency. Secondly, online consultation with any website around the globe will give limited medicines that are OTC because you need prescription to get rest of them and you can not get prescription online. My purpose of sharing was to help you in managing with OTC management as a first line of treatment.
Second line workup includes per-rectal examination and lab investigations to check electrolytes imbalance as electrolytes disturbance is an important factor in causing such problem.

As your problem is still persisting so i would suggest you to visit hospital because you need lab workup and prescription management which you can not get at home. Hospital staff will take blood sample for a number of tests including serum electrolytes level followed by digital rectal examination to see if there is any fecal impactaion in anal canal. If impactaion is present then they will give rectal enema to clear it. In case of electrolytes imbalance, they will replace it by i/v management for quicker recovery.

Thank you & wishing you good health.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar