Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- Brand names
- Ciprofloxacin
- RxNorm ID
- 309309
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Click here to enter Indications Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial indicated in adults (18 years of age and older) with the following infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria and in pediatric patients where indicated: • Skin and Skin Structure Infections ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Bone and Joint Infections ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Infectious Diarrhea ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Uncomplicated Cervical and Urethral Gonorrhea ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Inhalational Anthrax post-exposure in adult and pediatric patients ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Plague in adult and pediatric patients ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis • Urinary Tract Infections ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) • Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis • Complicated UTI and Pyelonephritis in Pediatric Patients • Acute Sinusitis ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin and other antibacterial drugs, ciprofloxacin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) 1.1 Skin and Skin Structure Infections Ciprofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for treatment of skin and skin structure infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia stuartii, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Streptococcus pyogenes. […]
About this medicine
Ciprofloxacin Tablets, USP are synthetic antimicrobial agents for oral administration. Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, USP, a fluoroquinolone, is the monohydrochloride monohydrate salt of 1-cyclopropyl- 6-fluoro- 1,4-dihydro- 4-oxo- 7-(1-piperazinyl)- 3-quinolinecarboxylic acid. It is a faintly yellowish to light yellow crystalline substance with a molecular weight of 385.8. Its empirical formula is C 17 H 18 FN 3 O 3 •HCl•H 2 O and its chemical structure is as follows: Ciprofloxacin is 1-cyclopropyl- 6-fluoro- 1,4-dihydro- 4-oxo- 7-(1-piperazinyl)- 3-quinolinecarboxylic acid. Its empirical formula is C17H18FN3O3 and its molecular weight is 331.4. It is a faintly yellowish to light yellow crystalline substance and its chemical structure is as follows: Ciprofloxacin film-coated tablets are available in 250 mg and 500 mg (ciprofloxacin equivalent) strengths. Ciprofloxacin Tablets, USP are white. The inactive ingredients are colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, partially pregelatinized maize starch, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate (starch from non-GMO potatoes), hypromellose, titanium dioxide and PEG. C17H18FN3O3•HCl•H2O C17H18FN3O3
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Ciprofloxacin is a member of the fluoroquinolone class of antibacterial agents [see Microbiology ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )].
Who should not take it
Click here to enter Contraindications • Known hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin or other quinolones ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Concomitant administration with tizanidine Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. 4.1 Hypersensitivity Ciprofloxacin tablets are contraindicated in persons with a history of hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin, any member of the quinolone class of antibacterials, or any of the product components [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. 4.2 Tizanidine Concomitant administration with tizanidine is contraindicated [see Drug Interactions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )].
Warnings and cautions
Click here to enter Warnings and Precautions • Hypersensitivity and other serious reactions: Serious and sometimes fatal reactions (for example, anaphylactic reactions) may occur after the first or subsequent doses of ciprofloxacin. Discontinue ciprofloxacin at the first sign of skin rash, jaundice or any sign of hypersensitivity. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , 5.6 , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Hepatotoxicity: Discontinue immediately if signs and symptoms of hepatitis occur. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea: Evaluate if colitis occurs. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) • QT Prolongation: Prolongation of the QT interval and isolated cases of torsade de pointes have been reported. Avoid use in patients with known prolongation, those with hypokalemia, and with other drugs that prolong the QT interval. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) 5.1 Disabling and Potentially Irreversible Serious Adverse Reactions Including Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Central Nervous System Effects Fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions from different body systems that can occur together in the same patient. Commonly seen adverse reactions include tendinitis, tendon rupture, arthralgia, myalgia, peripheral neuropathy, and central nervous system effects (hallucinations, anxiety, depression, insomnia, severe headaches, and confusion). These reactions can occur within hours to weeks after starting ciprofloxacin. Patients of any age or without pre-existing risk factors have experienced these adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. Discontinue ciprofloxacin immediately at the first signs or symptoms of any serious adverse reaction. […]
Reported side effects
The following serious and otherwise important adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling: • Disabling and Potentially Irreversible Serious Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Peripheral Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Central Nervous System Effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Other Serious and Sometimes Fatal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Risk of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Serious Adverse Reactions with Concomitant Theophylline [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Prolongation of the QT Interval [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Musculoskeletal Disorders in Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Photosensitivity/Phototoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] • Development of Drug Resistant Bacteria [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )] The most common adverse reactions ≥1% were nausea, diarrhea, liver function tests abnormal, vomiting, and rash. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact [Solco Healthcare US, LLC at 1-866-257-2597] or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Ciprofloxacin is an inhibitor of human cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) mediated metabolism. Co-administration of ciprofloxacin with other drugs primarily metabolized by CYP1A2 results in increased plasma concentrations of these drugs and could lead to clinically significant adverse events of the co-administered drug. Table 8: Drugs That are Affected by and Affecting Ciprofloxacin Drugs That are Affected by Ciprofloxacin Drug(s) Recommendation Comments Tizanidine Contraindicated Concomitant administration of tizanidine and ciprofloxacin is contraindicated due to the potentiation of hypotensive and sedative effects of tizanidine [see Contraindications ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. Theophylline Avoid Use (Plasma Exposure Likely to be Increased and Prolonged) Concurrent administration of ciprofloxacin with theophylline may result in increased risk of a patient developing central nervous system (CNS) or other adverse reactions. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, monitor serum levels of theophylline and adjust dosage as appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. Drugs Known to Prolong QT Interval Avoid Use Ciprofloxacin may further prolong the QT interval in patients receiving drugs known to prolong the QT interval (for example, class IA or III antiarrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, antipsychotics) [see Warnings and Precautions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) and Use in Specific Populations ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. Oral antidiabetic drugs Use with caution Glucose-lowering effect potentiated Hypoglycemia sometimes severe has been reported when ciprofloxacin and oral antidiabetic agents, mainly sulfonylureas (for example, glyburide, glimepiride), were co-administered, presumably by intensifying the action of the oral antidiabetic agent. Fatalities have been reported. Monitor blood glucose when ciprofloxacin is co-administered with oral antidiabetic drugs [see Adverse Reactions ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. )]. […]
Use in specific groups
Click here to enter Use in Specific Populations Lactation: Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment, but a lactating woman may pump and discard breastmilk during treatment and an additional 2 days after the last dose. In patients treated for inhalational anthrax (post exposure), consider the risks and benefits of continuing breastfeeding. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) See full prescribing information for use in pediatric and geriatric patients. ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. , Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Prolonged experience with ciprofloxacin in pregnant women over several decades, based on available published information from case reports, case control studies and observational studies on ciprofloxacin administered during pregnancy, have not identified any drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data). Oral administration of ciprofloxacin during organogenesis at doses up to 100 mg/kg to pregnant mice and rats, and up to 30 mg/kg to pregnant rabbits did not cause fetal malformations (see Data) . These doses were up to 0.3, 0.6, and 0.4 times the maximum recommended clinical oral dose in mice, rats, and rabbits, respectively, based on body surface area. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data While available studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, published data from prospective observational studies over several decades have not established an association with ciprofloxacin use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Available studies have methodological limitations including small sample size and some of them are not specific for ciprofloxacin. […]
If too much is taken
In the event of acute overdosage, reversible renal toxicity has been reported in some cases. Empty the stomach by inducing vomiting or by gastric lavage. Observe the patient carefully and give supportive treatment, including monitoring of renal function, urinary pH and acidify, if required, to prevent crystalluria and administration of magnesium, aluminum, or calcium containing antacids which can reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin. Adequate hydration must be maintained. Only a small amount of ciprofloxacin (less than 10%) is removed from the body after hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 1 April 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.