I’m scheduled to do Zoom Whitening next week and I’m wondering if I need to cancel it. I have been taking Cipro (ciprofloxacin) for a week now to treat a UTI. The infection has mostly cleared up and I feel good, but the doctor told me to stay on it for 14 days.
I went out for coffee yesterday with my friend, who is a medical assistant, and I suggested we sit inside so I wasn’t in the sun. The pharmacist was very clear with me that I needed to avoid it while I was on the med. Anyway, my friend and I started talking about the Zoom Whitening treatment and she told me that it wasn’t safe for me to do because Zoom Whitening uses a light that affects people like the sun does. When I called the dentist office, I was told by someone at the front desk that she didn’t think it would be a problem. I insisted that she ask the dentist, so she left me on hold for a bit and then told me we could double up on the sunscreen if I wanted. This is NOT reassuring to me!
Is the Cipro going to be a problem? If so, can I stop taking it now since I’m feeling better? Or, If I need to cancel, how long do I need to be off the med before it’s safe for me to do Zoom Whitening? — Rachel
Rachel,
You’ve got a smart friend… she is absolutely correct! The light used in Zoom whitening could cause a reaction if you’re on a drug like Cipro that is known to cause photosensitivity. To be clear, this doesn’t mean you’ll just get a sunburn. With Cipro, a lot of people break out in hives or rashes with just a few minutes outdoors. It’s not worth the risk to do the treatment while you’re on the medication. Seriously, save yourself the agony because that rash can stick around for ages.
Going forward, you should not stop your antibiotics. Doctors often prescribe a 10-day course, so if you were given 14, it means the infection was severe enough to warrant an extra-long course. If you stop too early, your UTI may come right back, so please finish all the medications as prescribed. Generally speaking, Cipro will be out of your system within about 24 hours of your last dose. Please double check this with your pharmacist because certain conditions may leave it in your body for longer. You should give yourself a buffer and not schedule for at least a few days after you finish your last dose, but make sure your dentist and your pharmacist know what your plans are and what you’ve been taking so they can give you personalized information for your situation and medical history.
This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.