💊 Ciprofloxacin (Ciprofloxacin)

🏷️ Brand names & manufacturers

Cipro🏭 Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.DailyMed

Ciprofloxacin Otic🏭 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.DailyMed

Ciprofloxacin In Dextrose🏭 ProPharma DistributionDailyMed

Ciprofloxacin🏭 Umasuto, LLCDailyMed

Ciprofloxacin🏭 Redpharm DrugDailyMed

Ciprofloxacin🏭 Sportpharm LLCDailyMed

✅ What it is used for

• Skin and skin structure infections
• Bone and joint infections
• Complicated intra-abdominal infections (in combination with metronidazole)
• Infectious diarrhea
• Typhoid fever (enteric fever)
• Uncomplicated cervical and urethral gonorrhea
• Inhalational anthrax post-exposure in adults and children
• Plague in adults and children
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Lower respiratory tract infections (acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis)
• Urinary tract infections and acute uncomplicated cystitis
• Complicated UTI and pyelonephritis in pediatric patients
• Acute sinusitis

🧪 Active ingredient

The active ingredient is ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial that treats infections caused by susceptible bacteria.

🌿 Benefits

• Treats a range of bacterial infections listed in the label
• Given by mouth; switching from intravenous ciprofloxacin is possible when clinically indicated at the physician's discretion
• Oral bioavailability of approximately 70%

📝 How to use

• Take by mouth as prescribed by your doctor.
• The dose and duration are set by the doctor or pharmacist based on the type and severity of infection and kidney and liver function; do not change them without consulting them.
• Treatment is generally continued for at least 2 days after signs and symptoms of infection have disappeared (except for inhalational anthrax post-exposure); complete the course as directed.
• Taking the drug with food delays its absorption.

💊 Dosage forms

• 250 mg white, round, film-coated tablets imprinted with "WW927" on one side

🔄 Drug interactions

• Tizanidine: contraindicated
• Theophylline: avoid; if unavoidable, monitor serum levels and adjust dose
• Drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g., class IA or III antiarrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, antipsychotics): avoid
• Oral antidiabetic drugs (mainly sulfonylureas): use with caution and monitor blood glucose due to risk of hypoglycemia
• Phenytoin: use with caution as serum levels may increase or decrease
• Magnesium-, aluminum-, or calcium-containing antacids can reduce absorption
• Ciprofloxacin inhibits CYP1A2, which can increase levels of drugs metabolized by it

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👨‍⚕️ For healthcare professionals

Mechanism of action

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial (see Microbiology, section 12.4 of the label). Oral bioavailability is approximately 70%, serum Cmax is reached 1–2 hours after dosing, and the half-life is about 4 hours with normal renal function. Food delays absorption. It inhibits CYP1A2.

Labeled dosing

General adult dosing per the label: skin/skin structure 500–750 mg q12h for 7–14 days; bone and joint 500–750 mg q12h for 4–8 weeks; complicated intra-abdominal 500 mg q12h for 7–14 days; infectious diarrhea 500 mg q12h for 5–7 days; typhoid fever 500 mg q12h for 10 days; uncomplicated gonorrhea 250 mg single dose; inhalational anthrax (post-exposure) 500 mg q12h for 60 days; plague 500–750 mg q12h for 14 days; chronic bacterial prostatitis 500 mg q12h for 28 days; lower respiratory tract 500–750 mg q12h for 7–14 days; urinary tract 250–500 mg q12h for 7–14 days; acute uncomplicated cystitis 250 mg q12h for 3 days; acute sinusitis 500 mg q12h for 10 days. Renal impairment: CrCl 30–50 mL/min 250–500 mg q12h; 5–29 mL/min 250–500 mg q18h; hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis 250–500 mg q24h after dialysis. Dose and duration are determined by the treating physician.

• Boxed warning: tendinitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, CNS effects, and exacerbation of myasthenia gravis.
• Reserve for patients without alternative options in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, acute uncomplicated cystitis, and acute sinusitis.
• Risks include aortic aneurysm and dissection, QT prolongation, hepatotoxicity, and C. difficile-associated diarrhea.
• Tizanidine is contraindicated; avoid theophylline and QT-prolonging drugs; monitor blood glucose with oral antidiabetics; use caution with phenytoin.
• Consider renal and hepatic function when determining dosage.

🎓 Key points for students

• Class: fluoroquinolone antibacterial.
• Boxed warning: tendinitis/tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, CNS effects, myasthenia gravis exacerbation.
• CYP1A2 inhibitor: raises levels of drugs metabolized by it (tizanidine, theophylline).
• Contraindicated with tizanidine and in hypersensitivity to quinolones.
• Common adverse effects: nausea, diarrhea, abnormal LFTs, vomiting, rash.
• Elderly and corticosteroid users have higher tendon rupture risk.
• Oral bioavailability about 70%; half-life about 4 hours.