From the Guidelines
Cipro (ciprofloxacin) belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. This class works by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes essential for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination 1. By disrupting these processes, fluoroquinolones prevent bacteria from reproducing and ultimately kill them. Ciprofloxacin is particularly effective against gram-negative bacteria, including many urinary tract pathogens, respiratory pathogens, and certain gastrointestinal infections. It's commonly prescribed for urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, and certain types of gastrointestinal infections.
Key Points to Consider
- The use of fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, should be restricted to situations in which there is no safe and effective alternative to treat an infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria or to provide oral therapy when parenteral therapy is not feasible and no other effective oral agent is available 1.
- When taking ciprofloxacin, patients should be aware of potential side effects including tendon damage, peripheral neuropathy, and central nervous system effects.
- It's also important to take the full course as prescribed, avoid taking with dairy products or antacids (which can reduce absorption), and stay hydrated during treatment.
Mechanism of Action and Spectrum of Activity
- Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, work by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are essential for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination 1.
- Ciprofloxacin is effective against a wide range of gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella species, as well as some gram-positive bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones.
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics 2.
- The main class of Cipro is fluoroquinolone.
From the Research
Cipro Drug Class
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antimicrobial agents 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- The fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity against gram-negative and some gram-positive aerobic bacteria 4, 6
- Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent that is effective against most Gram-negative bacteria and many Gram-positive bacteria 3, 5
Mechanism of Action
- Ciprofloxacin primarily inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase, an enzyme specific and essential for all bacteria 4, 5
- The inhibition of DNA gyrase results in the inhibition of DNA synthesis 4
Therapeutic Use
- Ciprofloxacin is effective in the treatment of a wide variety of infections, including urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin and soft-tissue infections, and bone and joint infections 3, 5, 6
- It is also effective in the treatment of malignant external otitis and bacterial prostatitis 5