Ciprofloxacin
Emery Haley, PhD, Scientific Writing Specialist
Ciprofloxacin
Find the Latest FDA-Approved Labelling Information Here: Drugs@FDA Online Database
Administrative Routes
Oral (PO) or Parenteral [intravenous infusion (IV)]
Other Names
Cipro
Bacteriostatic or Bactericidal
Bactericidal [1]
Antibiotic Class
Fluoroquinolone
Mechanisms of Action
The drug inhibits bacterial DNA topoisomerase IV and DNA-gyrase enzymes, preventing bacterial DNA replication and repair. The bacterial cells accumulate DNA damage which eventually causes bacterial cell death.
WHO AWaRe Classification
Watch [2]
Empiric Use Recommendations
Yes (upper UTI/pyelonephritis) [World Health Organization (WHO)] [3]
Yes* (preferred for complicated UTI with or without sepsis) [Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)] [4]
*Avoid if used by the patient in the previous 12 months.
Indication(s) Relevant to UTI
On label for both uncomplicated and complicated UTIs in adults caused by the following organisms included in the Guidance® UTI test: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae (part of the Enterobacter Group), Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, Citrobacter koseri, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (both part of the Coagulase-negative Staphylococci group).
On label for complicated UTIs, including pyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli in pediatric patients (aged 1-17 years).
Checkmarks
CLSI and/or FDA documents support the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organisms from the Guidance® UTI test: Acinetobacter baumannii, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, Corynebacterium riegelii, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterobacter Group Organisms, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii, and Serratia marcescens.
Published primary literature supports the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organisms from the Guidance® UTI test: Alloscardovia omnicolens [5]
- Ishak, A.; Mazonakis, N.; Spernovasilis, N.; Akinosoglou, K.; Tsioutis, C. Bactericidal versus Bacteriostatic Antibacterials: Clinical Significance, Differences and Synergistic Potential in Clinical Practice. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 2024, 80, 1–17, doi:10.1093/jac/dkae380
- AWaRe Classification of Antibiotics for Evaluation and Monitoring of Use, 2023 Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MHP-HPS-EML-2023.04 (accessed on 6 February 2025).
- The WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) Antibiotic Book – Infographics – PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization Available online: https://www.paho.org/en/documents/who-aware-access-watch-reserve-antibiotic-book-infographics (accessed on 22 July 2025).
- Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (CUTI): Clinical Guidelines for Treatment and Management Available online: https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/complicated-urinary-tract-infections/ (accessed on 28 July 2025).
- Isnard, C.; Lienhard, R.; Reissier, S.; Rodriguez, S.; Krähenbühl, J.; Liassine, N.; Guérin, F.; Cattoir, V. In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Alloscardovia Omnicolens and Molecular Mechanisms of Acquired Resistance. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease 2016, 84, 227–229, doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.08.009.
Dr. Emery Haley is a scientific writing specialist with over ten years of experience in translational cell and molecular biology. As both a former laboratory scientist and an experienced science communicator, Dr. Haley is passionate about making complex research clear, approachable, and relevant. Their work has been published in over 10 papers and focuses on bridging the gap between the lab and real-world patient care to help drive better health outcomes.