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I Have Chronic UTIS, Am Allergic To PCN, And Sulfa
Posted on
Mon, 22 Oct 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 22 Oct 2018
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : I have chronic UTIS, am allergic to PCN, and Sulfa doesn't work. I tried cranberry pills, but still continued to get UTIs that the doctor would put me on Cipro for. A few months ago, she put me on cipro prophylactically, and I recently started noticing burning and neuropathies in my great toes. I started to look up side effects of the meds I am on - nifedipine and cipro. (I take synthroid as well. Have taken it for more than 40 years with no adverse side effect.) I am so afraid that the cipro is causing this as I found online that this is indeed one of its side effects. According to my doctor, this is the only medication left to treat my UTIs. I am so worried.
Brief Answer:
Yes Cipro can cause peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
In 2013 FDA updated its warning to include peripheral neuropathy as one of its permanent side effects.
Kindly withdraw Ciprofloxacin and check if it reverses. I will not suggest further use of ciprofloxacin.
Regarding antibiotic for prophylaxis, It is better to get urine culture and sensitivity done. We can make a choice among the sensitive antibiotics.
The antibiotics usually used are Penicillin, Ampicillin, Augmentin, Cefazolin, Cefoxitin, Cefotetan, Cefuroxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone, Cefepime, Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Amikacin, Piperacillin, Piperacillin/tazobactam, Imipenem, Meropenem, Ertapenem, Teicoplanin, Vancomycin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, Tetracycline. I can understand that you are allergic to PCN and sulfa doesnt work. It does leave us with many other medicines.
But I feel that your body is not accepting prolonged use of antibiotics. Maybe you simply take the medicines when really needed. Try drinking cleaner water with low TDS.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Yes Cipro can cause peripheral neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
In 2013 FDA updated its warning to include peripheral neuropathy as one of its permanent side effects.
Kindly withdraw Ciprofloxacin and check if it reverses. I will not suggest further use of ciprofloxacin.
Regarding antibiotic for prophylaxis, It is better to get urine culture and sensitivity done. We can make a choice among the sensitive antibiotics.
The antibiotics usually used are Penicillin, Ampicillin, Augmentin, Cefazolin, Cefoxitin, Cefotetan, Cefuroxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone, Cefepime, Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Amikacin, Piperacillin, Piperacillin/tazobactam, Imipenem, Meropenem, Ertapenem, Teicoplanin, Vancomycin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, Tetracycline. I can understand that you are allergic to PCN and sulfa doesnt work. It does leave us with many other medicines.
But I feel that your body is not accepting prolonged use of antibiotics. Maybe you simply take the medicines when really needed. Try drinking cleaner water with low TDS.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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