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Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic whose active substance is ciprofloxacin, commonly known by the short name Cipro. It belongs to the fluoroquinolone family and acts by preventing susceptible bacteria from multiplying and by killing some bacteria directly.
This medicine is effective against selected bacterial infections but will not work for viruses such as colds or influenza. Treatment decisions should be guided by clinical assessment and, where possible, microbiology results.
Signs and essential facts
Typical infections treated with ciprofloxacin in clinical practice include the following:
- Urinary tract infections caused by bacteria, including some complicated cases
- Certain lower respiratory tract infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Some gastrointestinal infections caused by susceptible bacteria
- Bone and joint infections in selected situations
UK clinicians generally follow antimicrobial stewardship principles when choosing ciprofloxacin, taking into account local resistance patterns and alternate options. If you want more on how treatment choices are made, see UK legal requirements..
Dosing form types and strengths
In the UK the oral tablet strengths commonly supplied are 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg. Other preparations exist, such as injectable solutions and eye or ear drops, but these are not described here in detail.
The exact dose and duration will depend on the type of infection, its severity, body weight, kidney function and other patient factors. Always follow your prescriber's instructions at all times.
Before you start the operation your ciprofloxacin regimen.
Prior to the onset of treatment, tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following apply to you:
- Past tendon problems or a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis
- A history of heart rhythm problems, especially prolonged QT interval, or issues with electrolytes
- Suboptimal kidney or liver function
- Seizure disorder or other conditions that raise seizure risk
- Known allergy to ciprofloxacin, other quinolones, or any product ingredient
- If you are expectant, trying to conceive, or nursing
- If the patient is a child or adolescent, since use is limited and usually needs specialist advice
- If you have G6PD deficiency or peripheral neuropathy
If you are unsure about any of the items above, consult your prescriber before taking the medicine.
What is the usual dosing method for this medicine?
Swallow the pills with a full glass of water. Space doses evenly across the day and finish the full prescribed course, even if symptoms improve before it is finished. Never take more frequently than directed.
Ciprofloxacin may be taken with food or on an empty stomach. If you eat dairy as part of a meal, that is acceptable, but avoid taking ciprofloxacin directly with a glass of milk, yogurt or a calcium-fortified drink alone.
Certain minerals reduce absorption. Do not take antacids or products containing aluminium, magnesium, calcium, iron or zinc within 6 hours before or 2 hours after a ciprofloxacin dose. For more on timing and contact and responses create opportunities for collaboration., see Pharmacologic the dynamic of social contacts among teammates fuel progress. with other medicines.
The junior generation should be managed by a specialist, who will advise on dose and formulation.
Skipped dose vs she overdosed support guidelines.
For a dose was skipped, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is due soon, skip the dose was skipped and continue with your regular dosing routine. Do not exceed the usual dose by taking a double dose to cover a dose was skipped.
In the event of suspected a non fatal overdose or severe symptoms after taking ciprofloxacin, seek urgent medical help. In the UK call NHS 111 for advice or call 999 / attend A and E if there are life-threatening signs.
Conversational tracking interpersonal engagements helps measure engagement. with other medicines in combination therapy
Some medicines must not be used with ciprofloxacin unless supervised by a specialist. Avoid co-administration of ciprofloxacin with:
- Tizanidine forms include capsules and tablets
- Cisapride provides prokinetic effects to aid digestion.
- Terfenadine is an antihistamine
- Droperidol drug class antiemetic and antipsychotic
Other products that can interact include the following:
- Antacids and mineral supplements containing aluminium, magnesium, calcium, iron or zinc
- Multivitamin preparations
- Sucralfate with didanosine formulation options
- Warfarin and additional anticoagulants that are taken orally
- Theophylline, a methylxanthine used for breathing relief, methotrexate and phenytoin
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Certain diabetes medicines that may cause low blood glucose
- Some proton pump inhibitors, and drugs that affect cytochrome P450 enzymes
- Caffeine-containing drinks or medicines (may increase stimulant effects)
- Cyclosporin A immunosuppressant and probenecid regimen
This listing does not claim to be exhaustive. Always give your healthcare professional a full list of current medicines, herbal products and supplements before starting ciprofloxacin.
Safety advisories and oversight tips
- Contact your prescriber if your infection does not improve or symptoms get worse.
- Avoid using anti-diarrhoeal medicines without medical advice. Severe or persistent diarrhoea may indicate Clostridioides difficile infection and requires prompt assessment.
- Ciprofloxacin can cause dizziness, drowsiness or visual disturbances. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Use sun protection and avoid excessive UV exposure, as photosensitivity reactions can occur.
- Keep the drug separate from mineral-containing products as explained in How should this medicine be used?.
- Stop treatment and seek urgent medical attention if tendon pain or swelling develops, or you experience new sensory changes such as pain, tingling or numbness, or severe mood/behavior changes.
Expected knock-on effects
Seek prompt medical help if you experience any serious reactions, including:
- Allergic signs such as rash, hives, facial or throat swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe psychiatric symptoms like hallucinations, confusion or extreme mood shifts
- Marked lightheadedness, fainting or falls
- Heart rhythm disturbances or palpitations
- Tendon, muscle or joint pain or swelling
- Problems passing urine or blood in the urine
- Skin reactions such as blistering, peeling or widespread rash
- Seizure episodes
- New numbness, weakness or persistent tingling
More common, less serious effects that often settle include:
- Stool with loose form or diarrhoea
- Nausea, abdominal discomfort or stomach upset
- White oral patches caused by oral thrush
To report suspected undesired consequences in the UK use the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. For details and how to report, see Support, advice, and reporting.
Guidance on stowage and disposal
- Keep medicines out of sight and beyond the reach of youngsters.
- Store tablets at room temperature below 30 degrees C in a tightly closed container and out of direct sunlight.
- Do not use once the expiry date on the pack has passed..
- Return unused or expired antibiotics to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not keep leftover antibiotics for later use or share them with others.
Comparable drugs and a substitute choice medical therapies
Other fluoroquinolones related to ciprofloxacin include levofloxacin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin; norfloxacin is used less often in the UK. These share some similarities but also have different risk profiles and licensed uses.
Depending on the infection merged with the likely organism, prescribers commonly consider non-fluoroquinolone diverse a side options such as:
- For lower urinary infections: nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim, pivmecillinam or fosfomycin
- For many respiratory infections: amoxicillin, doxycycline or clarithromycin
- For skin infections: flucloxacillin, doxycycline or clindamycin
Choice of therapy should follow laboratory culture results where available and national or local guidelines to limit resistance and avoid unnecessary additional effects. Discuss options with your prescriber if you have concerns.
Goods prices across the United Kingdom
NHS prescription rules and typical private costs in Great Britain are summarised below in GBP.
- On the NHS: in Englplus the standard prescription charge per item applies (currently around 9.amount payable: 90 GBP Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Private purchase: prices vary by pharmacy, supplier and pack size; consultation and dispensing fees may be extra.
Indicative private wholesale pricing bands (approximate, for generic products):
- Ciprofloxacin 250 mg tablets, pack of 10: about 5 to 15 GBP
- Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablets, pack of 10: about 8 to 25 GBP
- Ciprofloxacin 750 mg tablets, pack of 10: about 12 to 30 GBP
- Nitrofurantoin 100 mg capsules, pack of 14: about 8 to 20 GBP
- Trimethoprim 200 mg tablets, pack of 14: about 5 to 12 GBP
- Doxycycline 100 mg capsules, pack of 14: about 5 to 15 GBP
Prices change with supply and pharmacy policies. Remember to check. the final amount before purchase and ask whether a consultation fee applies.
United Kingdom legal requirements.
- Legal position: ciprofloxacin is classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK and cannot be sold without a valid prescription.
- Valid prescription: you must receive a prescription from a prescriber registered in the UK to obtain ciprofloxacin from UK pharmacies.
- Online supply: only use pharmacies registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Legitimate sellers display their GPhC registration information and adhere to MHRA practical guidance.
- Antimicrobial stewardship: Official guidance for the United Kingdom aims to limit fluoroquinolone use because of concerns about resistance and serious negative outcomes; prescribers will usually consider other possibilities first when appropriate.
- Special populations: use in children is restricted and use in pregnancy or breastfeeding is normally avoided unless benefits outweigh risks.
- Transport and import: when travelling, carry medicines in original packaging with the prescription; importing prescription-only medicines is controlled and subject to rules for personal use.
For more about refusal or safe online purchase see Help, advice, and reporting services and consult your pharmacist.
Assistance, guidance, and reporting
- Emergency help: call 999 for life-threatening situations. For urgent but non-life-threatening advice, contact NHS 111.
- To report adverse reactions: use the MHRA Yellow Card scheme online to submit suspected unwanted effects with as much detail as possible.
- Information sources: your GP, community pharmacist or NHS England websites provide patient information leaflets and tailored advice.
Educational note: the content on this page is for general information and does not replace professional medical advice. Always follow the directions on your prescription together with the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine.
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