Ciprofloxacin – What are the indications and contraindications?
December 26, 2020 6:14 amCiprofloxacin is a topoisomerase inhibitor fluoroquinolone antibiotic and acts by interfering with DNA synthesis. Fluoroquinolones are considered first line therapy in treatment of urinary tract infections, and are extremely broad spectrum and effective against most strains of bacterial pathogens responsible for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and abdominal infections. Due to their MOA, they can cause arrested development in children and spontaneous tendon rupture (most commonly the Achilles tendon), which is of increased risk in older patients (>60 yo), in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart of lung transplants. Fluoroquinolones should be avoided in people with myasthenia gravis, as they may exacerbate muscle weakness.
Indications:
- Sinusitis
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Streptococcal pharyngitis, tonsillitis
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Legionnaires disease
- Typhoid fever
- Infectious diarrhea
- Urinary tract infections
- Pyelonephritis
- Bacterial prostatitis
- Gynecological infections
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Osteomyelitis
- Staphylococcal infection of the skin or subcutaneous tissue*
Contraindications:
- Pregnancy
- Children under 18 yo
From a pharmacognosy perspective, Commiphora molmol, Echinacea spp., and Thymus vulgaris are broad spectrum antimicrobial herbs useful in treating various different infections. Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Sanguinaria canadensis, and Thymus vulgaris have an affinity for the respiratory tract and are beneficial in treating URTIs. Baptisia tinctoria, Eucalyptus globulus, Salvia officinalis, and Thuja occidentalis are also effective in treating pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
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This post was written by Omar Rifai