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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Red And Painful Rashes After Taking Ciprofloxacin?

Hi: I have just been prescribed ciprofloxacin 250 mg, as I got bronchitis . 1 pill 2 x a day with lots of water. Upon taking the 1st pill, my face immediately broke out in a rash. Felt as though my face was on fire. My legs felt tingly as well. I phoned the pharmacy and said side effect are rare. Stop for a few days and try again. So I waited a day & took another pill and again my face broke out in a red and painful rash. The tops of my legs were also red and felt quite warm. I did follow up with an allergy pill, but this did nothing. So now I will stop and call my gp. I had taken this before in a higher dose of 500 mg, but no problem here. Any ideas on why I would break out in a rash. I did drink lots of water after ech pill. I can see others have had horrible side effects on this pill, then why is it still being prescribed? L. Lubiner
posted on Wed, 8 Apr 2015
Twitter Thu, 6 Aug 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 7 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Dear Lubiner, Hi
Welcome to HCM.

The red and painful rashes are due to the antibiotic Ciproflaxcin which is also referred to as Photosensitive or Phototoxic reaction.

This happens when the drug itself gets dispersed throughout the body and ends up in the skin, where it absorbs ultraviolet light and causes cellular damage which typically occurs within hours of initial exposure to sunlight.

Ciprofloxacin has been infrequently associated with photosensitive reaction.

You should consult your treating gp for an alternate but safer antibiotic for the treatment of bronchitis.

Another way of preventing this reaction is you should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or wear a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a SPF rating of 30 or greater. This will decrease that amount of sunlight exposure to your skin and therefore the risk of a bad reaction.

Hope to have answered your query.

A feed back is appreciated.
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What Causes Red And Painful Rashes After Taking Ciprofloxacin?

Dear Lubiner, Hi Welcome to HCM. The red and painful rashes are due to the antibiotic Ciproflaxcin which is also referred to as Photosensitive or Phototoxic reaction. This happens when the drug itself gets dispersed throughout the body and ends up in the skin, where it absorbs ultraviolet light and causes cellular damage which typically occurs within hours of initial exposure to sunlight. Ciprofloxacin has been infrequently associated with photosensitive reaction. You should consult your treating gp for an alternate but safer antibiotic for the treatment of bronchitis. Another way of preventing this reaction is you should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or wear a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a SPF rating of 30 or greater. This will decrease that amount of sunlight exposure to your skin and therefore the risk of a bad reaction. Hope to have answered your query. A feed back is appreciated.