What Causes Numbness In Arm After Having Cipro?

Posted on Sat, 24 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 24 Jan 2015 Answered on

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife is experiencing numbness in right arm after taking cipro for suspected diverticulitis. She discontinued taking it a couple days ago but woke up tonight with numbness and pain. She took some Advil and it seems to be helping but wondering if we should be going to ER. She also has rash. She called her doctor Thursday after side affects occurred but he did not call back yet. Wondering if there is anything she can do or should we go to ER ASAP?

Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Monitor rash

Detailed Answer:
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.

While rash is reported to be a side effect of ciprinol in about 2% of the cases, numbness is highly unusual and pain is never reported to be a side effect of ciprinol. Pain in the extremities is seldom an emergency condition, while prolonged numbness or intermittent numbness in the same region should be explored with additional examination.

Thus, you should monitor the rash. If it is not going away you should go to ER. While pain should be treated with acetaminophen and schedule a neurological examination but with no emergency unless your wife has the symptoms described above.

Hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Geldon Fejzo (3 hours later)

Thank you Dr. Fejzo. On the drug information for ciprofloxacin it notes rash and irreversible nerve damage as rare but possible. The rash seems to be getting better but the pain and numbness in her arm is not. This started Wednesday with pain in her joints at knees, elbows, etc and then onset of rash. Unfortunately she took another dose on Thursday before stopping. I did not note eariler that she was also prescribed metronidazole with the cipro. She discontinued that as well.

We will monitor the rash and take Tylenol to address the arm until she can get in next week to see her doctor or a specialist. She is scheduled on Monday to see GI specialist to further examine for diverticulitis or other GI concerns.

Thank you for your time and advice. Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
numbness is a common side effect of Metronidazole

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Basically it is Metronidazole which should be suspected on causing the numbness, not Ciprinol. Still, pain is not a feature of these drugs. Generally pain in the extremities is caused by mechanical conditions like compression of the surrounding structures on the nerve. Numbness instead can be secondary to pain but it is more concerning because it might be a sign of central nervous system involvement.

As I said numbness is a common side effect of metronidazole. Still, if it persists, your wife should have a neurological consult and more specifically a nerve conduction study.

Hope this helps.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T