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What Is Cipro?

Cipro is a prescription fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine containing ciprofloxacin. Oral tablets come in 250 mg and 500 mg strengths, and oral suspension comes in two concentrations. It treats selected bacterial infections in adults and has limited pediatric indications, including complicated urinary tract infection, inhalational anthrax after exposure, and plague.

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What Is Cipro?

Cipro is a prescription fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine containing ciprofloxacin. Oral tablets come in 250 mg and 500 mg strengths, and oral suspension comes in two concentrations. It treats selected bacterial infections in adults and has limited pediatric indications, including complicated urinary tract infection, inhalational anthrax after exposure, and plague.

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How Does Cipro Kill Susceptible Bacteria?

Ciprofloxacin inhibits bacterial topoisomerase II, also called DNA gyrase, and topoisomerase IV. These enzymes are required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination. Blocking them produces bactericidal activity against susceptible organisms.

Which Infections Are Treated With Cipro?

Cipro has labeled uses for selected urinary tract, respiratory, skin, bone and joint, intra-abdominal, gastrointestinal, and genital infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It is also used for inhalational anthrax after exposure and for plague. For acute sinusitis, uncomplicated cystitis, and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, use is reserved for patients without suitable alternatives.

How Are Cipro Tablets Dosed?

Dose and duration depend on the infection and kidney function. Adult urinary tract infection dosing commonly ranges from 250 mg to 500 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days. Acute uncomplicated cystitis uses 250 mg every 12 hours for 3 days. Inhalational anthrax after exposure uses 500 mg every 12 hours for 60 days in adults.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Cipro?

Cipro carries a boxed warning for tendinitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, central nervous system effects, and worsening of myasthenia gravis. Other serious concerns include aortic aneurysm or dissection, severe allergic reactions, liver injury, QT prolongation, blood glucose disturbances, and Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea. Tizanidine use with Cipro is contraindicated.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cipro

Is Cipro a fluoroquinolone antibiotic?

Yes. Cipro contains ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine.

Can Cipro treat urinary tract infections?

Yes. Cipro has labeled uses for selected urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria.

Does Cipro have a boxed warning?

Yes. The boxed warning covers tendon injury, peripheral neuropathy, central nervous system effects, and worsening of myasthenia gravis.

Can Cipro be taken with tizanidine?

No. Concomitant use with tizanidine is contraindicated due increased tizanidine exposure and related adverse effects.

References

CIPRO (ciprofloxacin) Medication Guide. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/medguide.cfm?setid=888dc7f9-ad9c-4c00-8d50-8ddfd9bd27c0. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

CIPRO (ciprofloxacin) Tablets and Oral Suspension. DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=888dc7f9-ad9c-4c00-8d50-8ddfd9bd27c0. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

Ciprofloxacin. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a688016.html. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

Ciprofloxacin. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ciprofloxacin. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA Updates Warnings for Oral and Injectable Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Due to Disabling Side Effects. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/media/119537/download?attachment=. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.