From the Guidelines
Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that should be used to treat various bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, skin infections, and certain sexually transmitted diseases, with a typical adult dose ranging from 250-750 mg twice daily, and treatment duration usually 7-14 days depending on the infection type, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 1.
Key Considerations
- The use of ciprofloxacin should be tailored to the specific infection type and patient population, with consideration of the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in the community 1.
- Ciprofloxacin is an appropriate choice for therapy in patients not requiring hospitalization where the prevalence of resistance of community uropathogens is not known to exceed 10% 1.
- Patients should be advised to take ciprofloxacin with plenty of water and avoid taking it with dairy products, antacids, or supplements containing calcium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, or zinc as these can reduce absorption.
Specific Indications
- Urinary tract infections: ciprofloxacin is an appropriate choice for therapy in patients not requiring hospitalization where the prevalence of resistance of community uropathogens is not known to exceed 10% 1.
- Acute pouchitis: a 2-week course of ciprofloxacin is recommended as first-line treatment, with a strong recommendation and low-quality evidence 1.
Important Safety Information
- Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache, while serious adverse effects may include tendon damage, peripheral neuropathy, and central nervous system effects.
- Ciprofloxacin is contraindicated in patients under 18 years, pregnant women, and those with myasthenia gravis or known hypersensitivity to fluoroquinolones.
- Patients should complete the full course of treatment even if symptoms improve before completion to prevent antibiotic resistance.
From the FDA Drug Label
Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic medicine used to treat certain infections caused by certain germs called bacteria.
The use of Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is to treat certain bacterial infections.
- It is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
- Ciprofloxacin Tablets USP should only be used to treat specific serious infections, such as complicated urinary tract infections and to prevent anthrax disease after breathing the anthrax bacteria germ (inhalational exposure) in children under 18 years old 2.
From the Research
Uses of Ciprofloxacin
- Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent effective in the treatment of a wide variety of infections, particularly those caused by Gram-negative pathogens 3
- It is used to treat complicated urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhoea and chancroid), skin and bone infections, gastrointestinal infections caused by multiresistant organisms, lower respiratory tract infections, febrile neutropenia, intra-abdominal infections, and malignant external otitis 3
- Ciprofloxacin is also effective in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in patients with liver diseases 4
- It is used to treat UTIs, including those caused by Escherichia coli, and is a common first-line agent in areas with high resistance to other antibiotics 5
- Ciprofloxacin is also used to treat infections in geriatric patients, including urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin and skin structure infections, and bone infections 6
Specific Indications
- Urinary tract infections: Ciprofloxacin is effective in treating UTIs, including those caused by multiresistant organisms 3, 5
- Respiratory tract infections: Ciprofloxacin is effective in treating lower respiratory tract infections, including those in patients with cystic fibrosis 3
- Skin and soft tissue infections: Ciprofloxacin is effective in treating skin and soft tissue infections, including those caused by Gram-negative pathogens 3, 6
- Bone and joint infections: Ciprofloxacin is effective in treating bone and joint infections, including those caused by Gram-negative pathogens 3, 6
Patient Populations
- Geriatric patients: Ciprofloxacin is effective and safe in treating infections in geriatric patients, including those with urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, and skin and skin structure infections 6, 7
- Patients with liver diseases: Ciprofloxacin is effective and safe in treating UTIs and RTIs in patients with liver diseases 4