Can you take Cipro if allergic to cephalosporin drugs?

Answer 1

The answer is: maybe, be cautious and get expert advice. I think the best rundown is found at this site: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/583836_11. Some relevant, pardon if I may quote:

Although the extent of allergic cross-reactivity between penicillin and cephalosporins is unknown and appears to be low, about 4% of patients with a proven penicillin allergy (by skin testing) also react to cephalosporins. Patients with a history of penicillin allergy who have negative penicillin skin test responses might safely receive cephalosporins. The AAAAI recommends that patients with a positive penicillin skin test (1) receive a non-beta-lactam antibiotic, (2) receive a cephalosporin through graded challenge, or (3) undergo rapid desensitization before receiving a cephalosporin. The clinical availability of skin test reagents would provide considerable assistance in evaluating patients with a history suggesting an IgE-type adverse drug response.

When current clinical data are combined with structural activity relationship side-chain analysis, it appears that, for select cephalosporins without side-chain similarities, the relative risk of prescribing these antibiotics in a non-IgE-mediated penicillin-allergic patient is no greater than the low inherent allergic risk of the products themselves.

Please note "cipro" is not a cephalosporin. It is a quinolone. The above appears to confuse the two.

Answer 2

Cipro is Ciprofloxacin, a prescription antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It is in the fluoroquinolones group. Cephalosporin is also a prescription antibiotic that was originally derived from the fungus Acremonium. Although it appears they are totally unrelated, it is always recommended that you tell your doctor about your allergy to cephalosporin drugs if he is thinking of prescribing Cipro for you.

Answer 3

No, you can't, because "ciprofloxacillin" doesn't exist. Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone and penicillin is a beta-lactam. They are not related from a chemical structure perspective and if a patient is hypersensitive to one is not expected that they would be at a higher risk than normal of being hypersensitive to the other. -Friendly Neighborhood Pharmacist

Answer 4

yes you can take ciprofloxacin if you are allergic to penicillin

Answer 5

Can you take sipro and penicillin together

Answer 6

no it is not

Answer 7

yes