- Class
- Fluoroquinolones
- Body system
- Anti-infectives
- Brand names
- Cipro
What is Ciprofloxacin used for?
- Complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis
- Some GI infections
- Anthrax and plague
- Bone and joint infections
How Ciprofloxacin works
Fluoroquinolone: inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV (bactericidal).
Common side effects
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Dizziness and headache
- Photosensitivity
- Blood glucose swings
Report right away
- Tendon pain or swelling, especially the Achilles tendon: stop and rest
- Numbness, tingling or burning in hands or feet
- Confusion, anxiety or hallucinations
- Sudden chest, back or abdominal pain (aortic aneurysm)
Nursing considerations for Ciprofloxacin
- Tendon rupture risk is higher in adults over 60, with corticosteroids and after kidney, heart or lung transplant.
- Avoid in myasthenia gravis. Use caution with QT-prolonging drugs.
- It raises theophylline and warfarin effects.
Patient teaching
- Take it 2 hours before or 6 hours after antacids, calcium, iron, zinc or dairy products alone.
- Drink plenty of fluids and use sunscreen.
- Report tendon pain right away.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Fluoroquinolones practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Ciprofloxacin belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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A 70-year-old patient taking levofloxacin and prednisone reports heel pain. What does the nurse suspect?
Show answer
Answer A: Achilles tendinitis or rupture Fluoroquinolones increase the risk of tendon rupture, especially in older adults and with corticosteroids.
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How should ciprofloxacin be timed with an antacid?
Show answer
Answer C: Take ciprofloxacin 2 hours before or 6 hours after the antacid Magnesium, aluminum and calcium bind ciprofloxacin and reduce absorption.
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Which suffix identifies a fluoroquinolone?
Show answer
Answer D: -floxacin Fluoroquinolones end in -floxacin.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ciprofloxacin used for?
Complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis; Some GI infections; Anthrax and plague; Bone and joint infections.
What drug class is Ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin belongs to the class fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolone: inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV (bactericidal).
What are the nursing considerations for Ciprofloxacin?
Tendon rupture risk is higher in adults over 60, with corticosteroids and after kidney, heart or lung transplant. Avoid in myasthenia gravis. Use caution with QT-prolonging drugs.
What should patients report while taking Ciprofloxacin?
tendon pain or swelling, especially the Achilles tendon: stop and rest; numbness, tingling or burning in hands or feet; confusion, anxiety or hallucinations; sudden chest, back or abdominal pain (aortic aneurysm).