how long does it take for cipro to work for bacterial infection

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) starts working within hours of taking it, but you may not notice an improvement in symptoms for about 2 to 3 days. For some infections, such as bone infections, it may take up to a week before symptom relief is seen. It is important to finish the full course of the medication even if symptoms improve earlier to ensure the infection is fully treated. Peak blood concentrations are reached about 1 to 2 hours after dosing, and symptom relief typically begins within 48 hours. For uncomplicated urinary tract infections, many patients report symptom improvement within 6 to 24 hours after starting Cipro, with the majority improving within 2 days.