As antibacterial concentrations of Ciprofloxacin are obtained in serum and body tissues as well as in the urine following administration by mouth, Ciprofloxacin has been suggested for use in the treatment of a wide range of infections caused by susceptible organisms including infections of the urinary, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, gonorrhoea and septicaemia. The extensive tissue penetration of Ciprofloxacin combined with its enhanced antibacterial activity (including antipseudomonal activity), enables Ciprofloxacin to be used alone (pending sensitivity results) or in combination with an Aminoglycoside or with beta lactam antibiotics for instance when severe neutropenia is present or with an antibiotic active against anaerobes where the presence of bacteroides fragilis is suspected. Ciprofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by sensitive bacteria:
- Severe systemic infections: e.g. septicaemia, bacteraemia, peritionitis, infections in immunosuppressed patients with haematological or solid tumors and in patients in intensive care unit with specific problems such as infected burns.
- Respiratory tract infections: Lobar and bronchopneumonia, acute and chronic bronchitis, acute exacerbation of cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, empyema.
- Urinary tract infections: Uncomplicated and complicated urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, epididymitis.
- Skin and soft tissue infections: e.g. infected ulcers, wound infections, abscesses, cellulitis, otitis externa, erysipelas, infected burns.
- Gastro-intestinal infections: e.g. enteric fever, infective diarrhea.
- Infection of the biliary tract: e.g. cholangitis, cholecystitis, empyema of the gall bladder.
- Intra abdominal infections: e.g. peritonitis, intra abdominal abscesses.
- Bone and joint infection: Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis.
- Pelvic infections: e.g. salpingitis, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory diseases.
- Eye, ear, nose and throat infections: e.g. otitis media, sinusitis, mastoiditis, tonsillitis.
- Gonorrhoea: Including urethral, rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhoea caused by beta-lactamase producing organisms or organisms moderately sensitive to penicillin.