Cipflox (Ciprofloxacin 500mg)

Cipflox general information

What is Cipflox used for?

Cipflox tablets 500mg are an antibiotic medication used to treat uncomplicated and complicated bacterial infections in adults, caused by a wide range of susceptible bacteria in various parts of the body.  Cipflox tablets 500mg are used to treat pneumonia (community acquired as outpatients), caused by various bacteria, but should not be the antibiotic of first choice for pneumonia caused by Pneumococcus.  Cipflox tablets 500mg are also use to treat infections of the skin and soft tissue, such as impetigo and cellulitis; also of the bones and joints, which can be very painful; and infections of the abdominal cavity such as peritonitis.  Cipflox tablets 500mg are also used to treat infections of the urogenital system, including adnexitis (infection and inflammation of the ovary and the fallopian tubes), prostatitis (infection and inflammation of the prostate), gonorrhoea, infections of the efferent urinary tract like cystitis and pyelonephritis (infection and inflammation of the kidney).  Cipflox tablets 500mg are used to treat sepsis, which is a serious and life-threatening condition that occurs as a result of the body’s response to an infection.  It is caused by chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight the infection, which can result in damage to tissues and organs.  Cipflox tablets 500mg may also be used after inhalation of anthrax spores, as post exposure prophylaxis to reduce risk of pulmonary disease.  Cipflox tablets 500mg are also used to treat acute pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa; also complicated urinary tract infections or pyelonephritis due to E.coli in children over the age of 5 years.   

How does Cipflox work?

Cipflox tablets 500mg contain the antibiotic ciprofloxacin that belongs to the fluoroquinolones group of antibiotics and is a synthetic broad spectrum antibiotic with antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria including, Klebsiella, Haemophilus, Enterobacter, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Legionella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Listeria and Chlamydia.  Ciprofloxacin in Cipflox tablets 500mg works by inhibiting several bacterial enzymes (bacterial topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase) needed for the bacteria to replicate and repair its DNA.  This action of ciprofloxacin in Cipflox tablets 500mg kills the bacteria by blocking its growth and preventing the spread of infection.  Cipflox tablets 500mg do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.  

What does Cipflox contain?

Cipflox tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient ciprofloxacin, a synthetic broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections.  They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch, crospovidone, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, polydextrose, hypromellose, glycerol triacetate, macrogol.

Treating bacterial infection with Cipflox

Cipflox tablets 500mg contain ciprofloxacin a synthetic broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic that used to treat uncomplicated and complicated bacterial infections in adults, caused by a wide range of susceptible bacteria in various parts of the body.  Infections that Cipflox tablets 500mg are suitable for include, pneumonia; infections of the skin, soft tissue bones and joints; infections of the urogenital system; infections of the abdominal cavity; sepsis and to reduce risk of pulmonary disease following inhalation of anthrax spores.  Cipflox tablets 500mg are also used to treat acute pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis and complicated urinary tract infections in children over the age of 5 years.  Ciprofloxacin in Cipflox tablets 500mg works by inhibiting several bacterial enzymes needed for the bacteria to replicate and repair its DNA.  This action of ciprofloxacin in Cipflox tablets 500mg kills the bacteria by blocking its growth and preventing the spread of infection. 

What are the side effects of Cipflox?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Cipflox tablets 500mg include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, headache, altered taste, arthralgia (joint pain).  Very rarely taking Cipflox tablets 500mg is associated with an increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture with increased risk if you are over the age of 60 years, taking systemic steroids or have received a kidney, heart or lung transplant.

When should Cipflox not be used?

You should not use Cipflox tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to ciprofloxacin or any ingredients in Cipflox
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• history of tendon disease/disorder related to quinolone treatment
• have epilepsy or a history of convulsion
• have a history of stroke, heart attack or heart failure, without discussion with your doctor
• have myasthenia gravis
• are taking medicines that interact with Cipflox, including the muscle relaxant tizanidine for cystic fibrosis, anti-arrhythmics like amiodarone, tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptylene, macrolides antibiotics like azithromycin, clarithromycin, antipsychotics like olanzapine,, mineral supplements, sucralfate, omeprazole or antacids for ulcers and reflux, probenecid for gout, theophylline for asthma, caffeine and methylxanthines (found in some medicines and in drinks such as coffee, tea, cola), phenytoin for seizures, some NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, anticoagulants like warfarin, oral antidiabetic medications like glibenclamide, methotrexate for cancer treatment, the antiemetic metoclopramide, the antidepressant duloxetine, ropinirole for Parkinson’s disease, clozapine for schizophrenia, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction

What medications interact with Cipflox?

Several medications interact with Cipflox tablets 500mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Cipflox or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction or increase side effects with Cipflox: the muscle relaxant tizanidine for cystic fibrosis, anti-arrhythmics like amiodarone, tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptylene, macrolides antibiotics like azithromycin, clarithromycin, antipsychotics like olanzapine, theophylline for asthma, some NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the immunosuppressant cyclosporine,
• Drugs that affect Cipflox: mineral supplements, sucralfate, omeprazole or antacids for ulcers and reflux, probenecid for gout, the antiemetic metoclopramide
• Drugs that are affected by Cipflox: the muscle relaxant tizanidine for cystic fibrosis, theophylline for asthma, caffeine and methylxanthines (found in some medicines and in drinks such as coffee, tea, cola), phenytoin for seizures, anticoagulants like warfarin, oral antidiabetic medications like glibenclamide, methotrexate for cancer treatment, the antidepressant duloxetine, ropinirole for Parkinson’s disease, clozapine for schizophrenia, sildenafil for erectile dysfunction

How should Cipflox be taken?

You should take your Cipflox tablets 500mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food.  The dose you take and how often, depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations, which for most infections is usually one tablet twice daily for 7 to 14 days, but the dose or length of time you need to take your Cipflox tablets 500mg for may be increased depending on the severity of your infection and your response to treatment.  You should not consume dairy products that are high in calcium (milk and yoghurt) or calcium-fortified orange juice, unless they are part of a meal as this may affect the absorption of ciprofloxacin.  Avoid direct exposure to excessive sunlight or UV-light as this can cause photosensitisation (sunburn-like skin reactions).  You should continue to take your Cipflox tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Cipflox?

You should continue to take your Cipflox tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Cipflox

If you miss a dose of Cipflox tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Cipflox be stored?

You should store your Cipflox tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.