Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat a range of bacterial infections, including bone and joint infections, intra-abdominal infections, infectious diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, skin infections, typhoid fever and urinary tract infections, given orally, intravenously, or as eye or ear drops. It works by inhibiting the bacterial enzymes that separate DNA strands during replication, preventing the bacterium from dividing and causing its death. Ciprofloxacin grew out of research into fluoroquinolone compounds: in 1979, researchers at the Japanese company Kyorin Seiyaku disclosed norfloxacin, showing that adding a fluorine atom to the quinolone structure sharply increased antibacterial potency, and Bayer chemists modified norfloxacin further to produce ciprofloxacin in 1983. Bayer patented the drug in 1980 and brought the oral tablet to market in October 1987, with an intravenous form following in 1991.
Facts
Classification
Approval Status ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own accountJ: Antiinfectives for Systemic Use 2 Route of Administration Route of Administration Route of Administration Route of Administration WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account Drug ClassFluoroquinolone antibiotic 1 Mechanism of ActionInhibits bacterial type II topoisomerase (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV, which separate bacterial DNA, thereby inhibiting cell division 1 Approved UseBone and joint, intra-abdominal, respiratory tract, skin and urinary tract infections, typhoid fever and certain infectious diarrhea 1 First Approved / Isolated Year Significant RiskTendon rupture, hallucinations and nerve damage 1 Connections
Treats
Ciprofloxacin (often with metronidazole) is a standard antibiotic regimen for diverticulitis.
Sources
1. Ciprofloxacin (Wikipedia)
Lead section, paragraph 1, starting at character 0
Ciprofloxacin, sold under the brand name Cipro among others, is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections.
Section: Mechanism of action, starting at character 148
It functions by inhibiting a type II topoisomerase (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV, necessary to separate bacterial DNA, thereby inhibiting cell division.
Lead section, paragraph 1, starting at character 141
This includes bone and joint infections, intra-abdominal infections, certain types of infectious diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, skin infections, typhoid fever, and urinary tract infections, among others.
Lead section, paragraph 3, starting at character 0
Ciprofloxacin was patented in 1980 and introduced by Bayer in 1987.
Lead section, paragraph 2, starting at character 60
Severe side effects include tendon rupture, hallucinations, and nerve damage.
Lead section, route-of-administration statement
It can be taken by mouth, as eye drops, as ear drops, or intravenously.
Lead section, route-of-administration statement (intravenous)
It can be taken by mouth, as eye drops, as ear drops, or intravenously.
Lead section, route-of-administration statement (ophthalmic)
It can be taken by mouth, as eye drops, as ear drops, or intravenously.
Lead section, route-of-administration statement (otic)
It can be taken by mouth, as eye drops, as ear drops, or intravenously.
- Regulatory approval status
View the Source2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code JQuote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code J
Antiinfectives for systemic use
3. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Ear, nose and throat medicines sectionQuote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Ear, nose and throat medicines section
Ciprofloxacin
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