| Indication |
For the treatment of the following infections caused by
susceptible organisms: urinary tract infections, acute uncomplicated
cystitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, lower respiratory tract
infections, acute sinusitis, skin and skin structure infections, bone
and joint infections, complicated intra-abdominal infections (used in
combination with metronidazole), infectious diarrhea, typhoid fever
(enteric fever), uncomplicated cervical and urethral gonorrhea, and
inhalational anthrax (post-exposure). |
| Pharmacodynamics |
Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antiinfective agent of the fluoroquinolone class. Ciprofloxacin has in vitro
activity against a wide range of gram-negative and gram-positive
microorganisms. The mechanism of action of quinolones, including
ciprofloxacin, is different from that of other antimicrobial agents such
as beta-lactams, macrolides, tetracyclines, or aminoglycosides;
therefore, organisms resistant to these drugs may be susceptible to
ciprofloxacin. There is no known cross-resistance between ciprofloxacin
and other classes of antimicrobials. Notably the drug has 100 times
higher affinity for bacterial DNA gyrase than for mammalian. |
| Mechanism of action |
The bactericidal action of ciprofloxacin results from inhibition
of the enzymes topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV, which
are required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair,
strand supercoiling repair, and recombination. |
| Absorption |
Rapidly and well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after
oral administration. The absolute bioavailability is approximately 70%
with no substantial loss by first pass metabolism. |
| Volume of distribution |
Not Available |
| Protein binding |
20 to 40% |
| Metabolism |
Hepatic. Four metabolites have been identified in human urine
which together account for approximately 15% of an oral dose. The
metabolites have antimicrobial activity, but are less active than
unchanged ciprofloxacin. |
| Route of elimination |
Approximately 40 to 50% of an orally administered dose is excreted in the urine as unchanged drug. |
| Half life |
4 hours |
| Clearance |
|
| Toxicity |
The major adverse effect seen with use of is gastrointestinal irritation, common with many antibiotics. |
