Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, indicated for the treatment of various types of infections, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, prostatitis or gonorrhea, for example.
This medicine is available in pharmacies, in the form of generic or with the commercial names Cipro, Quinoflox, Ciprocilin, Proflox or Ciflox, for example, for a price that can vary between 50 and 200 reais, according to the commercial name, form of presentation and size of the packaging.
Like any other antibiotic, ciprofloxacin should only be used under the guidance of a doctor and can only be purchased with a prescription.
What is it for
This antibiotic is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by microorganisms sensitive to ciprofloxacin:
- Pneumonia; Otitis media; Sinusitis; Eye infections; Urinary tract infections; Infections in the abdominal cavity; Skin, soft tissue, bone and joint infections; Sepsis.
In addition, it can also be used in infections or as an infection prevention in people with a compromised immune system or in selective intestinal decontamination in people undergoing treatment with immunosuppressants.
In children, this medicine should only be used to treat acute infections in cystic fibrosis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
How to take
In adults, the recommended dose varies according to the problem to be treated:
| Problem to be addressed: | Recommended dose per day: |
| Respiratory tract infections | 2 doses of 250 to 500 mg |
|
Urinary tract infections: - acute, not complicated - cystitis in women - complicated |
1 to 2 doses of 250 mg single 250 mg dose 2 doses of 250 to 500 mg |
| Gonorrhea | Single 250 mg dose |
| Diarrhea | 1 to 2 doses of 500 mg |
| Other infections | 2 doses of 500 mg |
| Serious, life-threatening infections | 2 doses of 750 mg |
In the treatment of children with acute infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the dose should be 20 mg / kg, twice a day, up to a maximum of 1500 mg per day.
The duration of treatment also varies according to the infection you want to treat. Thus, treatment should be 1 day in cases of uncomplicated acute gonorrhea and cystitis, up to 7 days in cases of kidney, urinary tract and abdominal cavity infection, throughout the neutropenic period in patients with weakened organic defenses, maximum 2 months in cases of osteomyelitis and 7 to 14 days in the remaining infections.
In streptococcal infections or in those caused by Chlamydia spp. , treatment should last at least 10 days, due to the risk of further complications and the total duration of treatment for inhalation anthrax exposure, with ciprofloxacin is 60 days. In cases of acute pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis, associated with infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in pediatric patients aged 5 to 17 years, the duration of treatment should be 10 to 14 days.
The dosage can be changed by the doctor, especially in cases of kidney or liver failure.
Main side effects
Some of the most common side effects that can occur during treatment with ciprofloxacin are nausea and diarrhea.
Although more rare, mycotic superinfections, eosinophilia, decreased appetite, agitation, headache, dizziness, sleep disturbances and changes in taste, vomiting, abdominal pain, poor digestion, excess intestinal gas, pancreatitis, increased transaminases in the liver, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase in the blood, skin rashes, itching and hives, body aches, malaise, fever and kidney dysfunction.
Who should not use
This antibiotic should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding without a doctor's guidance. In addition, it cannot be taken by anyone who is allergic to ciprofloxacin or any component present in the formula or who is undergoing treatment with tizanidine.
