Many different infections are caused by pathogenic bacteria. Bacterial cells have a different life cycle than human cells. Drugs such as ciprofloxacin target these physiological differences to kill or slow the growth of bacteria. As a result, ciprofloxacin HCL (the oral form of ciprofloxacin) is an effective antibacterial drug.
Mechanism
As Drugs.com explains, ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of medications. Fluoroquinolones work by inhibiting the action of a bacterial enzyme called DNA gyrase. DNA gyrase is needed for bacteria to duplicate their DNA for the purposes of dividing. As a result, fluoroquinolones can be used effectively to inhibit bacterial growth.
Uses
RxList notes that ciprofloxacin can be used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. For example, it can be used to treat infections of the urinary tract (especially those caused by E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well bacterial prostate infections caused by E. coli. It can also be used to treat bacterial sinus infections, infectious diarrhea (caused by E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni and Shigella bacteria) and typhoid fever. Ciprofloxacin can also be given to people who may have been exposed to anthrax as a preventive measure.
Side Effects
MedlinePlus notes that there are several common side effects that ciprofloxacin can cause. Most of these affect the gastrointestinal system and include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Some patients also experience an increased urgency in their need to urinate as well as heartburn and vaginal discharge.
Contraindications
Women who are pregnant or lactating should not take ciprofloxacin because it can affect the baby. Ciprofloxacin can also interact with the drug tizanidine, so patients taking this medication should not take ciprofloxacin. In addition, ciprofloxacin can cause the levels of some anticoagulants and chemotherapy medications to rise, potentially leading to more severe side effects.
Usage
As with any antibiotic, ciprofloxacin should be ingested at the same time each day, and the full course of the antibiotic should be taken. Patients should avoid taking this medication while they are using antacids or multivitamins because some of the components, such as magnesium, can interfere with the absorption of ciprofloxacin. Patients should also avoid caffeine while using this medication because the combination can lead to agitation and anxiety.
