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New search Medicine profile Ciprofloxacin
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Clinical medicine profile

Ciprofloxacin

Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

POM
Evidence state Source not available Reviewed 14 Aug 2026
Route
ORAL / IV
Schedule
POM
ATC
Not assigned
PPB status
registered
Patient advice Check interactions
Verification required

This profile needs source confirmation

A traceable source link is not attached to this profile. Confirm prescribing decisions against the current SmPC and Kenya STG/EML.

01 Risk first

Safety essentials

The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to quinolones.
  • History of quinolone-related tendon disorder.
  • Avoid in myasthenia gravis (exacerbation).
  • Generally avoid in children/adolescents except specific labelled indications.
  • Caution pregnancy/lactation — prefer alternatives when possible.

Precautions

  • FDA/EMA boxed risks: tendinopathy/rupture, peripheral neuropathy, CNS effects, aortic aneurysm risk in susceptible patients, QT prolongation (esp. moxifloxacin), dysglycaemia, psychiatric effects.
  • Avoid in patients with significant risk factors unless benefits outweigh risks.
  • Photosensitivity.
  • Separate from polyvalent cations (antacids, Fe, Ca, dairy, sucralfate) by several hours.
02 Point of care

Dosing matrix

Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.

Adult

Dosing is indication-, age-, weight- and organ-function-specific for this INN. Do not use class averages for high-risk patients. Confirm the exact regimen in the current SmPC and Kenya Standard Treatment Guidelines. Typical professional workflow: (1) confirm indication, (2) check renal/hepatic function, (3) screen interactions/allergies, (4) select dose/route/duration, (5) define monitoring.

Paediatric

Paediatric dosing is weight- and age-based; use a paediatric formulary / SmPC. Do not extrapolate adult tablets without calculation.

Renal

Many agents need CrCl-based adjustment (e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin).

  • CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic

Hepatotoxicity uncommon but reported; moxifloxacin has more hepatic clearance.

03 Clinical use

Use, effects & interactions

Indications

  • Therapeutic use is agent- and indication-specific within the class (Fluoroquinolone antibiotic).
  • Use according to culture results, national guidelines (Kenya STG/EML where applicable) and the current product SmPC.

Adverse effects

  • GI upset, headache, dizziness, insomnia.
  • Serious: tendon rupture, neuropathy, seizures, QT prolongation/TdP, severe hypersensitivity, C. difficile, aortic events (rare), dysglycaemia.

Drug interactions

Open multi-drug checker ↗
  • Reserve for infections where benefits outweigh class risks.
  • Prefer culture-directed therapy.
  • Counsel tendon pain stop-drug advice.
  • Check ECG risk factors if using QT-prolonging FQ.
  • Stewardship: avoid for uncomplicated cystitis/sinusitis when alternatives exist.
04 Pharmacology

Mechanism & disposition

Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV, blocking DNA replication and transcription.

Inhibit DNA gyrase / topo IVBlock replicationBactericidal
Read complete mechanism

Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV, blocking DNA replication and transcription. Bactericidal concentration-dependent killing with a post-antibiotic effect.

Onset

1–2 hours oral

Duration

12–24 hours (agent-dependent)

Route

ORAL / IV

Distribution

including prostate and bone (agent-dependent). Renal and/or hepatic clearance varies by agent — adjust dose in organ impairment as labelled.

05 Special populations

Pregnancy, lactation & diet

Pregnancy

Generally avoid unless no safer alternative; animal arthropathy concerns and limited human data for many agents.

Lactation

Often avoided or used short-term with caution; check agent-specific guidance.

06 Kenya market

Brands & loaded prices

FromKES 1,631
MedianKES 1,631
Listings14
BrandManufacturerPackObserved price
CIFLOX KRISHNA CHEMISTS LTD Eye Drops Unavailable
CIPNIZA 500 UNIZA LIFECARE PRIVATE LIMITED Film-Coated Tablet Unavailable
Cipro-Denk Denk tabs 10's Unavailable
Ciprobay Bayer f/coated tabs 250mg 10's Unavailable
CIPROBAY DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import TABS 500MG * 10 KES 1,630.63afya_index_book
Ciprocin ophthalmic solution ZADCHEM HEALTHCARE LTD Ophthalmic Solution Unavailable
Ciprocor Signature tabs 500mg 10's Unavailable
Ciprocor Signature tabs 1g 10's Unavailable
CIPROSTAR-250 ZAIN PHARMA LIMITED Tablet Unavailable
CIPROSTAR-500 ZAIN PHARMA LIMITED Tablet Unavailable
CIPROZED 500 MG TABS zest pharma Tablet 500MG Unavailable
GLACIPRO GLAD HEALTHCARE KENYA LIMITED Film-Coated Tablet Unavailable
KARECIPRO 500MG TABLETS KAREMAX INDUSTRIAL LTD Tablet 500MG Unavailable
ONCINE-500 ZAIN PHARMA LIMITED Tablet Unavailable
07 Provenance

Sources & review state

Primary sourceLocal active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Fluoroquinolone antibiotic)
Last reviewed14 Aug 2026
EvidenceSource not available

Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.