Antimicrobials
Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin

High
Excellent

Dosing

General Information

HEALTH CANADA APPROVED

  • Treatment of infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin or skin structure, blood or bone caused by susceptible organisms

History of tendinitis or tendon rupture associated with the use of a quinolone antibacterial agent

  • Class IA (eg quiNIDine, procainamide), and Class III (eg amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents: may have additive effect on QTc interval
  • Other drugs that prolong QTc interval (erythromycin, antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants)
  • Concurrent corticosteroid; may increase risk of tendon rupture
  • May interact with warfarin mechanism unknown – monitor INR

RECOMMENDED

  • Baseline and periodic complete blood count with differential and serum creatinine
  • Diabetics and the elderly: monitor blood glucose at least once a day. Can use a bedside blood glucose monitor

Requires Special Authorization for PEI Pharmacare

  • Intravenous ciprofloxacin: only for patients unable to take oral medication. Bioavailability ~70-80% (80% of 500 mg PO = 400 mg absorbed, which is equal to IV dose)

Oral Ciprofloxacin Administration

  • Avoid dairy products, antacids, and other sources of divalent cations (Ca, Fe, Mg, Al, Zn) which can chelate ciprofloxacin and prevent absorption (administer ciprofloxacin 2 hours before or 6 hours after)
  • Must hold continuous tube feeding 2 h before and 2 h after administration

Antimicrobial class: Antibiotic - quinolone

Pregnancy category: C

Average serum half life: 4 hours

Urine penetration: Therapeutic

Lung penetration: Therapeutic

CSF penetration: Moderate

Biliary penetration: Therapeutic

pH: 3.5 to 4.6