C-Flox

NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
WARNING: Important safety information is provided in a boxed warning in the full CMI. Read before using this medicine.

1. Why am I taking C-FLOX?

C-FLOX contains the active ingredient ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride). C-FLOX is used to treat certain infections of the lungs, skin, bones and joints, kidney and bladder, prostate and bowel. C-FLOX is also used to treat inhalational anthrax.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I taking C-FLOX? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I take C-FLOX?

Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin, other quinolone antibiotics including nalidixic acid, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I take C-FLOX? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with C-FLOX and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I take C-FLOX?

Your doctor will tell you how much and how often you should take C-FLOX. This will depend on the type of infection and any medical conditions you have. More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I take C-FLOX? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while taking C-FLOX?

Things you should do
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking C-FLOX.
If you develop diarrhoea, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking C-FLOX.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of depression or self-endangering behaviour.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop pain, burning, tingling, numbness or weakness is any part of the body.
Things you should not do
Do not take C-FLOX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless your doctor told you to do so.
Driving or using machines
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how C-FLOX affects you. C-FLOX may cause dizziness in some people, especially after the first few doses.
Drinking alcohol
If you drink alcohol while taking this medicine, dizziness may be worse.
Looking after your medicine
Store C-FLOX in a cool dry place below 25°C.
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.
For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while taking C-FLOX? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Less serious side effects: nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea. Serious side effects: severe skin rashes, peeling of the skin, yellowing of the skin and eyes also called jaundice, severe watery or bloody diarrhoea, nightmares, hallucinations and psychotic reaction, fast or irregular heartbeats, visual disturbances, abdominal pain/cramps, pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness in your limbs. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
WARNING: Serious disabling and potentially irreversible.
Some serious side effects may be long-lasting (more than 30 days) and disabling, such as tendonitis, tendon rupture, musculoskeletal disorders and other reactions affecting the nervous system including mental health disorders and disturbance of senses.
Active ingredient: ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride)

Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about taking C-FLOX. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about taking C-FLOX.
Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I taking C-FLOX?

C-FLOX contains the active ingredient ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride). C-FLOX is an antibiotic belonging to the group of medicines called quinolones (pronounced kwin-o-lones). These antibiotics work by killing the bacteria causing your infection.
C-FLOX does not work against infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu.
C-FLOX is used to treat certain infections of the:
lungs
skin
bones and joints
kidney and bladder
prostate
bowel.
C-FLOX is also used to treat inhalational anthrax (an infection caused by breathing in the spores of bacteria.)
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.

2. What should I know before I take C-FLOX?

Warnings

Do not take C-FLOX if:

you are allergic to ciprofloxacin, other quinolone antibiotics including nalidixic acid, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can take this medicine.
you are also taking a medicine called tizanidine, a muscle relaxant used to treat spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, injury or diseases of the spinal cord.
C-FLOX can interfere with tizanidine and can lead to undesirable side effects.
the expiry date printed on the pack has passed or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Check with your doctor if you:

have allergies to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
take any medicines for any other condition
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding
have, or have had any of the following medical conditions:
epilepsy, fits, seizures or convulsions
stroke
kidney disease
liver disease
arrhythmias (fast or irregular heartbeats). C-FLOX may increase the risk of arrhythmias, especially in the elderly or patients with low potassium levels
conditions where you have taken corticosteroids. You may be at increased risk of swelling of the tendons. Symptoms include pain, tenderness and sometimes restricted movement
myasthenia gravis, a condition where the muscles become weak. C-FLOX can worsen symptoms of this condition
a history of tendon disorders with the use of quinolones (e.g. moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid)
have or have had a mental illness
have diabetes.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking C-FLOX.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
C-FLOX is not recommended if you are pregnant. Medicines similar to C-FLOX have caused joint disease in immature animals.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking C-FLOX during pregnancy.
Do not take C-FLOX if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
C-FLOX passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Your doctor will tell you whether you should take C-FLOX or temporarily stop breastfeeding while you are taking the tablets.

Use in children

C-FLOX is not recommended for children under 18 years of age except for use in inhalational anthrax.

Use in elderly

C-FLOX should be used with caution in elderly patients as they are more prone to side effects.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by C-FLOX or may affect how well it works. These include:
medicines used to treat arrhythmias (fast or irregular heartbeats)
theophylline, a medicine used to treat asthma
oral anticoagulants, medicines used to prevent blood clots such as warfarin and its derivatives
phenytoin, a medicine used to treat epilepsy
medicines used to control diabetes
didanosine, a medicine used to treat viral infections
ciclosporin, a medicine used to suppress the immune system following organ transplantation
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), medicines used to treat pain, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
methotrexate, a medicine used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriasis or some types of cancer
duloxetine, a medicine used to treat depression, anxiety and nerve pain in people with diabetes
clozapine, a medicine used to treat schizophrenia
ropinirole, a medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease or restless legs syndrome
lidocaine, a local anaesthetic medicine used to numb pain or cause loss of sensation
pentoxifylline, a medicine used to treat circulation disorders
sildenafil, a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction
agomelatine, a medicine used to treat depression
zolpidem, a medicine used to treat sleep disorders.
These medicines may be affected by C-FLOX or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.
Some medicines that may interfere with the absorption of C-FLOX. These include:
multivitamins, mineral supplements, antacids (used for indigestion) and other medicines containing iron, zinc, magnesium, aluminium or calcium
sucralfate, a medicine used to treat duodenal or stomach ulcers
medicines used to treat HIV infection
probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
omeprazole, a medicine used to treat stomach ulcers and other conditions where the stomach produces too much acid
sevelamer, a medicine used to treat high blood levels of phosphorus in patients with kidney disease who are on dialysis
metoclopramide, a medicine used to treat nausea and vomiting, heartburn and stomach pain.
You can still take these medicines while you are taking C-FLOX. However, you must take C-FLOX at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking any of these medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect C-FLOX.

4. How do I take C-FLOX?

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how much and how often you should take C-FLOX. This will depend on the type of infection and any medical conditions you have.
The usual adult dosage for most infections is one tablet twice daily for 7 to 14 days. You may need to take your tablets for a longer period of time for some types of infection.
Elderly people and people with kidney problems may need smaller doses.

How to take C-FLOX

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.

When to take C-FLOX

C-FLOX tablets are usually taken twice a day.
Take your tablets at the same time each day, preferably on an empty stomach. However, C-FLOX can be taken with or without food.

How long to take C-FLOX for

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
The length of treatment may vary from 1 to 28 days or longer depending on the type of infection.
Do not stop taking C-FLOX even if you are feeling better, unless advised by your doctor.
If you stop taking your medicine too soon, the infection may not clear completely or your symptoms may return.

If you forget to take C-FLOX

If you forget to take C-FLOX tablets and it is:
6 hours or more until your next scheduled dose, take your missed dose right away. Then take the next dose at your regular time.
Less than 6 hours until your next scheduled dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much C-FLOX

If you think that you or anyone else has taken too much C-FLOX, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while taking C-FLOX?

Things you should do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking C-FLOX.
Tell all other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking C-FLOX.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking C-FLOX.
If you are about to have any laboratory, blood or urine tests, tell your doctor that you are taking C-FLOX.
It may affect the results of some tests.
Drink plenty of water while you're taking C-FLOX.
This helps to stop crystals forming in your urine.

Call your doctor straight away if you:

become pregnant while taking C-FLOX.
develop diarrhoea. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking C-FLOX.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care.
Do not take any medicines for diarrhoea without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
experience symptoms of depression or self-endangering behaviour. C-FLOX should be discontinued immediately.
develop pain, burning, tingling, numbness or weakness is any part of the body. C-FLOX should be discontinued immediately.

Things you should not do

Do not take C-FLOX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless your doctor told you to do so.
If you do not complete the full course prescribed by your doctor, some of the bacteria causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may continue to grow and multiply so that your infection may not clear up completely or it may return.

Things to be careful of

Avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight.
Your skin may become more prone to sunburn. If such a reaction occurs, stop taking C-FLOX immediately and tell your doctor.
C-FLOX tablets may increase the stimulatory effects of caffeine.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how C-FLOX affects you.
C-FLOX may cause dizziness in some people, especially after the first few doses. Your ability to drive and/or operate machinery may be impaired.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
If you drink alcohol while taking this medicine, dizziness may be worse.

Looking after your medicine

Store below 25°C.
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.
Follow the instructions on the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to take this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects
What to do
nausea or vomiting
diarrhoea
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects.
These are the more mild and common side effects.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects
What to do
severe skin rashes, peeling of the skin and/or mucosal reactions
signs of allergy such as rash, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
fainting
yellowing of the skin and eyes, also called jaundice
severe watery or bloody diarrhoea, even if it occurs several weeks after taking your tablets
fits (seizures, convulsions)
confusion, nightmares,
hallucinations and psychotic reaction (even progressing to self-endangering behaviour)
fast or irregular heartbeats
visual disturbances (eyesight problems)
ringing in the ear, loss of hearing
abdominal pain/cramps. Very rarely this can progress to a serious condition accompanied by fever and fatigue
pain, burning, tingling numbness and/or weakness in your limbs
hypersensitivity reaction called DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) which may include fever, extensive skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, blood abnormalities and inflammation of internal organs like liver, lung or kidney.
Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
The list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
In isolated instance, some serious side effects may be long-lasting (more than 30 days) and disabling, such as tendonitis, tendon rupture, musculoskeletal disorders and other reactions affecting the nervous system including mental health disorders and disturbance of senses.
Photosensitivity (getting sunburnt very easily) can occasionally occur with C-FLOX. However, it is temporary and staying out of direct sunlight while taking C-FLOX will prevent this from happening.
Rarely, there can be a worsening of the symptoms of myasthenia gravis. This is a condition in which the muscles become weak and tire easily, causing drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty in speaking and swallowing, and sometimes muscle weakness in the arms or legs.
Rarely, the Achilles tendon (extending from the calf muscle in the leg to the heel of the foot) or other tendons have been torn after C-FLOX therapy. This may occur even within the first 48 hours of treatment and up to several months after completing treatment with C-FLOX. This risk of tendon damage may be increased in elderly patients, during strenuous physical activity, if you are currently being treated with a type of medicine called corticosteroids, if you have reduced kidney function or have received solid organ transplants.
Tell your doctor immediately if you feel any discomfort, pain or inflammation of a tendon.
Rarely, you may experience hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) or hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia include increased thirst, appetite and urination. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include weakness, shaking, sweating, light headedness, headache, behavioural changes, confusion, numbness/pins and needles in the lips, fingers or toes, irritability and hunger. Tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
If you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with C-FLOX, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. C-FLOX may need to be discontinued.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What C-FLOX contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride) 250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg per tablet
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
microcrystalline cellulose
maize starch
crospovidone
pregelatinised maize starch
colloidal anhydrous silica
magnesium stearate
hypromellose
titanium dioxide CI77891 (E171)
polydextrose
triacetin
macrogol 8000
Potential allergens
trace quantities of sulfites
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What C-FLOX looks like

C-FLOX 250 is a white biconvex, round, film-coated tablet marked "CF" scoreline "250" on one side and "G" on the reverse side. (AUST R 195202).
C-FLOX 500 is a white, biconvex, capsule shaped, film-coated tablet marked "CF" scoreline "500" on one side and "G" on the reverse side. (AUST R 195203).
C-FLOX 750 is a white, biconvex, capsule shaped, film-coated tablet marked "CF" scoreline "750" on one side and "G" on the reverse side. (AUST R 195204).
Available in blister packs of 14 tablets.

Who distributes C-FLOX

Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in December 2024.
C-FLOX® is a Viatris company trade mark.
C-FLOX_cmi\Dec24/00

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