Ciprofloxacin: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It requires a prescription in the United Kingdom, and its use for uncomplicated bladder infections is reserved for situations where there are no alternative treatment options because serious side effects can occur.

Ciprofloxacin treats infections caused by bacteria that are susceptible to it. The tablet indications include urinary tract infections, chronic bacterial prostate infections, skin and underlying tissue infections, bone and joint infections, and lower respiratory tract infections. Other uses include infectious diarrhoea, typhoid fever, certain cervical and urethral gonorrhoea infections, and complicated abdominal infections in combination with metronidazole.

It is also listed for treatment or prevention of plague and for preventing progression of inhalational anthrax after exposure. Certain uses in children include complicated urinary tract infections and kidney infections, anthrax after exposure, and plague.

For acute uncomplicated cystitis, acute sinusitis and acute worsening of chronic bronchitis, the label reserves ciprofloxacin for patients with no alternative treatment options. It should only be used for infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial.

The label lists oral tablets in strengths of 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg, alongside intravenous, eye and ear preparations. The label lists adult urinary tract infection dosing of 250 mg to 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. The label lists acute uncomplicated cystitis dosing of 250 mg every 12 hours for 3 days, reserved for patients with no alternative treatment options.

The label lists 500 mg to 750 mg every 12 hours for skin and lower respiratory tract infections for 7 to 14 days. The label lists chronic bacterial prostatitis dosing of 500 mg every 12 hours for 28 days.

The label lists children's complicated urinary tract or kidney infection dosing of 10 to 20 mg/kg every 12 hours, with a maximum of 750 mg per dose, for 10 to 21 days. The prescribing decision depends on the infection, its severity and kidney function; the label includes adjustments for impaired kidney function and dialysis.

Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics. These medicines interfere with bacterial enzymes needed to copy and maintain DNA, the genetic material inside bacterial cells. Without working DNA-processing enzymes, susceptible bacteria cannot reproduce normally and may die.

This explains why ciprofloxacin is used for bacterial infections rather than viral illnesses. Its effect depends on whether the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to the medicine; resistant bacteria may not respond.

Published experience has not identified an association between ciprofloxacin during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. However, the available studies have limitations and cannot definitively establish the absence of risk.

Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment; the label describes expressing and discarding breast milk during treatment and for an additional 2 days after the last dose. For inhalational anthrax after exposure, the risks and benefits of continuing breastfeeding should be considered.

A missed antibiotic dose can interrupt the planned treatment schedule. General pharmacy advice is to resume the prescribed schedule rather than double a dose to compensate.

If the next dose is nearly due, the missed dose is usually omitted. A pharmacist can clarify the appropriate approach for the prescribed formulation and schedule.

The label specifies storage at 20°C to 25°C. Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children and follow the storage directions on its packaging to maintain quality.