Ciprofloxacin

3 medicines

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic reserved for infections where other antibiotics aren't suitable, because it carries boxed warnings for tendon rupture, aortic aneurysm and dissection, and nerve damage.

Ciloxan

Ciprofloxacin

0.3%

Ciloxan is a antibiotics medication containing Ciprofloxacin, available as 0.3% bottles.

from $7.79 / bottle View

Cipro

Ciprofloxacin

250/500/750/1000mg

Cipro is a antibiotics medication containing Ciprofloxacin, available as 250/500/750/1000mg tablets.

from $0.71 / tablet View

Ciprodex

Ciprofloxacin, Dexamethasone

0.3/0.1%

Ciprodex is a eye care medication containing Ciprofloxacin + Dexamethasone, available as 0.3/0.1% bottles.

from $15.30 / bottle View

Key facts

  • Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that kills bacteria by blocking the enzymes they need to copy their DNA.
  • It treats selected urinary, gastrointestinal, respiratory, bone, joint and eye infections, usually as tablets twice a day or as eye or ear drops.
  • It carries boxed warnings for tendon rupture, aortic aneurysm and dissection, and peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage); because of this, it's reserved for infections where other antibiotics are not suitable.
  • Stop the medicine and seek urgent care for sudden tendon pain or swelling, sudden severe chest, back or abdominal pain, or new tingling, numbness or weakness.

What Ciprofloxacin treats

Ciprofloxacin treats complicated urinary and kidney infections, some gastrointestinal infections such as travelers' diarrhoea from susceptible bacteria, certain respiratory and bone or joint infections, and some eye infections as drops. Because of its safety warnings, it's generally not first-choice treatment for infections that respond to safer antibiotics, including most simple bladder infections.

How Ciprofloxacin works

Bacteria rely on enzymes called DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV to unwind and copy their DNA when they multiply. Ciprofloxacin blocks these enzymes, so bacterial DNA breaks apart and the cell dies. Human cells use different enzymes for this job, but ciprofloxacin can still affect tendons, nerves and heart rhythm in some people.

Before you take it

  • Do not take ciprofloxacin if you've had a tendon problem linked to a fluoroquinolone before, or if you have myasthenia gravis, it can worsen muscle weakness.
  • Tell your prescriber about an aortic aneurysm or a family history of one, heart rhythm problems, epilepsy, or kidney disease.
  • It's avoided in pregnancy, breastfeeding and in children unless no safer option exists, animal studies show joint effects in the young.
  • Corticosteroid use alongside ciprofloxacin raises the risk of tendon rupture, especially in people over 60.

Side effects

Nausea, diarrhoea, headache and dizziness are common.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Sudden pain, swelling or a snapping sensation in a tendon, commonly the Achilles.
  • Sudden, severe chest, back or abdominal pain, a possible sign of an aortic tear.
  • New numbness, tingling, weakness or burning pain in the limbs.
  • Confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Safety essentials

  • Ciprofloxacin's boxed warnings, tendon rupture, aortic aneurysm and dissection, and peripheral neuropathy, are why it's kept for infections where safer antibiotics won't work; ask your prescriber about alternatives first.
  • Finish the full prescribed course even if you feel better after a few days; stopping early can leave resistant bacteria behind.
  • Stop taking it immediately and rest the affected limb at the first sign of tendon pain, and get emergency care for sudden chest, back or abdominal pain.
  • Avoid dairy products, calcium-fortified juice and antacids within two hours of a dose, they reduce absorption, and use sun protection, as it increases sun sensitivity.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.