What are the indications for Ciprofloxacin (ciprofloxacin) 400 mg every 12 hours?

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Last updated: June 10, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 12 hours is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe bacterial infections, including complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis, particularly in patients with suspected or confirmed infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1.

Indications for Use

The following are indications for the use of ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 12 hours:

  • Complicated urinary tract infections
  • Pyelonephritis
  • Nosocomial pneumonia
  • Complicated intra-abdominal infections
  • Bone and joint infections
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Certain respiratory tract infections, particularly those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Empiric therapy in febrile neutropenic patients

Important Considerations

When using ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 12 hours, the following considerations are important:

  • The dose may need adjustment based on renal function, with reduced dosing for patients with creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min 1.
  • Treatment duration typically ranges from 7-14 days depending on the infection type and severity, though bone infections may require 4-6 weeks.
  • Ciprofloxacin is effective against many gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas and some gram-positive organisms, working by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which prevents DNA replication.
  • Patients should be monitored for potential side effects, including tendinitis, QT prolongation, and CNS effects, and should maintain adequate hydration during treatment.

Evidence-Based Recommendations

The use of ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 12 hours is supported by evidence-based recommendations, including those from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 1. These recommendations emphasize the importance of tailoring treatment to the specific infection and patient population, as well as considering local resistance patterns and susceptibility testing results.

From the Research

Indications for Ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 12 hours

  • The provided studies do not specifically mention a dosage of 400 mg every 12 hours for ciprofloxacin. However, the following indications can be inferred from the available data:

Urinary Tract Infections

  • Complicated urinary tract infections: Ciprofloxacin has been shown to be effective in treating complicated urinary tract infections 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infections: Ciprofloxacin has been used to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections, including acute uncomplicated cystitis and acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis 3, 4, 5.

Dosage and Administration

  • The studies mention various dosages and administration schedules for ciprofloxacin, including 500 mg every 12 hours 2, 1000 mg once daily 4, 5, and 500 mg once daily 5.
  • However, the specific dosage of 400 mg every 12 hours is not mentioned in the provided studies.

Other Infections

  • Ciprofloxacin has also been used to treat other types of infections, including respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and acute maxillary sinusitis 6.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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