API

Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride

Drug classification

Dosage form

Tablet

API strength per dosage

750mg

Dose

Adults: 250–750 mg orally every 12 hours or 200–400 mg IV every 12 hours. Pediatrics: 10–20 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours (max 750 mg/dose). Renal impairment: adjust dose based on creatinine clearance. Use in pediatrics only for specific indications due to risk of arthropathy.

Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV, preventing supercoiling and separation of bacterial DNA during replication and transcription, leading to inhibition of DNA synthesis and bacterial cell death.

Indications

Urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, gastrointestinal infections, typhoid fever, gonorrhea, prostatitis, anthrax post-exposure prophylaxis, intra-abdominal infections.

Side effects

Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, tendonitis, tendon rupture, QT prolongation, hypersensitivity reactions, Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, photosensitivity, hepatotoxicity.

Pregnancy category

Category C

Precautions

Hypersensitivity to quinolones, history of tendon disorders, myasthenia gravis, CNS disorders (e.g., epilepsy), QT prolongation risk, renal impairment, concomitant corticosteroids, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children/adolescents (unless benefits outweigh risks), photosensitivity, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, potential drug interactions (e.g., tizanidine, theophylline, anticoagulants).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin or other quinolones, concomitant tizanidine use, history of tendon disorders related to fluoroquinolone use, children and adolescents (except specific indications), pregnancy, breastfeeding.