Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride USP, often shortened to simply ciprofloxacin, is a widely used antibiotic medication belonging to the fluoroquinolone class. Here's a breakdown of its key information:
What it treats:
- Ciprofloxacin is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, making it useful for treating various infections, including:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder infections
- Prostate infections
- Respiratory tract infections like bronchitis and pneumonia (depending on the severity)
- Skin infections
- Bone and joint infections
- Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea caused by certain bacteria)
- Certain types of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea
How it works:
- Ciprofloxacin works by interfering with the bacteria's ability to replicate its DNA. This prevents the bacteria from multiplying and effectively halts the infection.