Exercise and Antibiotics

In general, antibiotics aren’t a problem regarding exercise, with the exception of one class of antibiotics, the fluoroquinolones.  These are antibiotics like Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), and Floxin (ofloxacin).  While it is uncommon, these medications can cause problems with muscle soreness and tendon inflammation, and have even been associated with tears in tendons.  Let your doctor know you are exercising if he or she recommends one of these types of antibiotics to see if there is something else appropriate for your infection.  If there isn’t, then you should decrease the intensity of or simply stop your exercise while taking the antibiotic.

Remember: before starting an exercise program, talk with your doctor first.