What is ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment and prevention of certain bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, bone and joint infections, intra-abdominal infections, infectious diarrhea, typhoid fever, gonorrhea, and anthrax. It comes in several formulations, including tablets, extended-release (XR) tablets, and oral suspension. The different formulations of ciprofloxacin are approved for different uses and specific populations.
Some bacterial infections are opportunistic infections. An opportunistic infection is an infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems—such as those infected with HIV—than in people with healthy immune systems.
Ciprofloxacin can also be used “off-label” to prevent and treat other opportunistic infections of HIV infection. “Off-label” use refers to use of an FDA-approved medicine in a manner different from that described on the medicine label. Good medical practice and the best interests of a patient sometimes require that a medicine be used “off-label.”
What HIV-related opportunistic infections is ciprofloxacin used for?
The Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents, prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), includes recommendations on the HIV-related uses of ciprofloxacin to:
- Prevent:
- Isosporiasis (also known as Isospora belli infection) from recurring (called secondary prophylaxis or maintenance therapy). (This is an “off-label” use.)
- Treat:
- Pseudomonas pneumonia, which is a bacterial respiratory infection.
- Certain bacterial enteric infections, including salmonellosis (also known as Salmonella infection) and campylobacteriosis.
- Isosporiasis. (This is an “off-label” use.)
- Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. (This is an “off-label” use.)
What should I tell my health care provider before taking ciprofloxacin?
Before taking ciprofloxacin, tell your health care provider:
- If you are allergic to ciprofloxacin or any other medicines.
- About any medical conditions you have or have had, for example, diabetes or liver problems.
- About anything that could affect your ability to take medicines, such as difficulty swallowing or remembering to take pills.
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Whether ciprofloxacin can harm an unborn baby is unknown. Ciprofloxacin should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to both the unborn baby and the mother.
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV.
- About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Ask your health care provider if there are interactions between ciprofloxacin and the other medicines you take.
Ask your health care provider about possible side effects from ciprofloxacin. Your health care provider will tell you what to do if you have side effects.
How should I take ciprofloxacin?
Take ciprofloxacin according to your health care provider’s instructions. Your health care provider will tell you how much ciprofloxacin to take and when to take it. Before you start ciprofloxacin and each time you get a refill, read any printed information that comes with your medicine.
How should ciprofloxacin be stored?
- Store ciprofloxacin tablets below 86°F (30°C).
- Store ciprofloxacin oral suspension below 86°F (30°C) for up to 14 days. Do not freeze. After treatment has been completed, any unused oral suspension should be safely thrown away.
- Store ciprofloxacin XR tablets at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C ).
- Safely throw away ciprofloxacin that is no longer needed or expired (out of date).
- Keep ciprofloxacin and all medicines out of reach of children.
Where can I find more information about ciprofloxacin?
More information about ciprofloxacin is available:
Last Reviewed: December 11, 2012
Last Updated: December 11, 2012