Ciprofloxacin
Please note: This is for information only.
Refer to local guidelines for treatment recommendations
- A quinolone antibiotic, similar to levofloxacin
- Usual adult dose: 250mg – 500mg bd orally, increased to 750mg bd for severe infections/Pseudomonas.
- Good bioavailability when given orally
- IV preparation is very expensive and the licensed dose is lower than the oral regime. IV ciprofloxacin is a restricted antibiotic.
- Dosage reduction may be necessary in renal impairment.
- Use with caution in patients with epilepsy.
- Contra-indicated in pregnancy.
- High risk of Clostridium difficile antibiotic-associated diarrhoea if prescribed for elderly inpatients.
Main indications: Oral
- UTI
- Biliary Sepsis
- Diabetic Ulcers
- Osteomyelitis (high risk)
- Oncology and haematology specialist guidelines
Main indications: IV
- Microbiology advice only – restricted agent
- Active against most strains of:
- Staphylococcus aureus (not MRSA)
- Neisseria gonorrhoea*
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella sp
- Pseudomonas
- Legionella
- Salmonella
- Campylobacter
Not active against most strains of:
- MRSA
- Enterococci
- Anaerobes
- Partial activity against Strep pneumoniae
- *currently the resistance rates are ~20% therefore not suitable for first line empirical treatment of gonorrhoea.