CIPROFLOXACIN

This prescription antibiotic is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It is frequently prescribed for chest and urinary tract infections and is also used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax or plague.

CHEMICAL NAME

1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4dihydro-4-oxo-7(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride

MEDICINES

Ciprofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called quinolones and is commonly marketed under the names Cetraxal, Ciloxan, and Cipro.

HOW IT WORKS

Ciprofloxacin is frequently used to treat chest and urinary tract infections and is also effective in people who have been exposed to anthrax or plague. It blocks a bacterial enzyme called DNA gyrase, killing the bacteria. DNA gyrase is involved in the replication and repair of the bacteria’s genetic material (DNA). If the enzyme cannot work, the bacteria cannot reproduce.

SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effect is diarrhea. Less common are vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, agitation, rash, itching, hives, pain in the muscles or joints, and increased white blood cell count. In rare cases, ciprofloxacin may cause anxiety, hallucinations, or seizure.

INTERACTIONS

Ciprofloxacin should not be taken with milk or yogurt or with calcium-fortified juice, which lessen its effectiveness. Ciprofloxacin heightens the effects of caffeine. Because ciprofloxacin can make you get sunburned more easily, you should avoid sunlight.

PROPER USE

The dose will vary from patient to patient, depending on the condition being treated and the severity. For adults it is generally between 250 mg and 1,000 mg per day.