Hi All,
In addition to what I wrote earlier if you do have a history of hypokalemia (low K+ or potassium) that is very serious for that electrolyte controls cardiac and renal function. However, it is quite simple while you are on this antibiotic to increase K+ rich foods such as bananas, baked potato, OJ, whole milk, avocado (which has more K+ than 5 bananas) and do so judiciously during your therapy for infection.
It is also significant to alert anyone that infection (bacterial) causes some fairly significant physiologic issues from fever, to myalgia, vomiting and loss of fluids, and organ impairment. This antibiotic like Ciprofloxacin has a huge ability to permeate bone infection and non circulatory areas that most antibiotics never reach. It is important to understand that if you are feeling that ill to require that antibiotic you may not be getting around to feeling "normal" until you are past taking the medication, follow up with your provider and rid yourself of the infection.
When you end an antibiotic early or play games with such a drug you can rebound to a super infection that is not treatable by the same antibiotic or even anything more powerful and after this drug you are talking IV antibiotics in a hospital setting.
I would strongly suggest if you are handling secondary side effects then continue onward for the result of an infection out of control is anything but desirable.
I do run low on K+ either and find that Cipro is more K+ wasting then Levaquin. I also am on the smallest dosage (250 mg. QD) and having a positive result but yes, the lovely side effects. In another few days though when done those will be gone and I might feel 100% human again.
K. BS,RN,UM,QC,DON