Back to Antimicrobial Agents

Brand

Cipro

Availability

100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg tablets (tablets may be crushed to make a suspension)
10mg/mL vials for injectable (avoid giving by injection, in rats, if possible)

Pharmacology

Ciprofloxacin, a second generation fluoroquinolone, is a concentration dependent bactericidal agent. It is structurally related to enrofloxacin and has a similar spectrum of activity. Both of these antimicrobials have shown activity against some Gram-positive aerobes and a wide range of Gram-negative bacilli and cocci which include klebsiella, pseudomonas, salmonella, and other organisms such as mycoplasma, staphylococci, and chlamydia.
Due to the fluoroquinolones variable activity against most streptococci, as well as their weak activity against many anaerobic bacteria, they are generally not recommended for use in treating infections where these types of microbes are present.

Like enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin is believed to act by inhibiting bacterial DNA-gyrase which prevents DNA supercoiling and DNA synthesis.

When taken orally ciprofloxacin is well absorbed, and although the presence of food in the stomach may delay rate it does not seem to effect its absorption capability.

Both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are well distributed throughout the body, and can be found in small concentrations in the cerebral spinal fluid.

Ciprofloxacin is a metabolite of enrofloxacin, and like enrofloxacin is eliminated by both renal and hepatic mechanisms, as well as in breast milk.

The quinolone class of drugs have been shown to produce erosions of cartilage in weight bearing joints and other signs of arthropathy in immature animals of various species.

The following link written with regard to ciprofloxacin refers to quinolone-induced damage ( Ciprofloxacin causes cytoskeletal changes and detachment of human and rat chondrocytes in vitro; Egerbacher M, Seiberl G, Wolfesberger B, Walter I. ). However, in cases where other antibiotics are not helping, or if the infection is deemed severe, the benefit of using fluoroquinolones may in fact outweigh the risks.

Indications

Useful in: respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and soft tissue injury.

Although ciprofloxacin may be used as a substitue when enrofloxacin is not available it should be noted that there are some pharmacologic differences. Notably that ciprofloxacin is less reliably absorbed than enrofloxacin.

Drug Interactions or Contraindications

Antacids containing Magnesium, Calcium, and Aluminum will prevent absorption.

Theophylline blood levels may be increased when used with enrofloxacin.

Probenecid blocks tubular secretion of enrofloxacin, and may cause an increase in its blood level and half life.

Synergism can occur when aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, and extended-spectrum penicillins are used with fluorinated quinolones such as enrofloxacin.

Adverse Reactions

CNS: restlessness, seizures

GI:  decreased appetite, diarrhea

GU:  crystalluria

Skin:  Can cause tissue damage when given IM or SQ

Other:  itching

Dosage Recommendations

7mg/kg to 20 mg/kg ; PO, or IM , q12hrs.  ¹

or

10 mg/kg; PO , q12hrs.  ²

or

2.5 mg / lb to 5 mg / lb ; PO , BID (twice a day)  ⁴

*Note:The use of fluoroquinolones has not been recommended for initial treatment in pregnant and nursing does, or rats under 4 months.
However, where symptoms are progressing, these stronger antimicrobials may be necessary. The benefits of using a fluoroquinolone , or in combination with other compatible antimicrobials, may outweigh the risks. Discuss with a veterinarian.

Considerations

Store tablets in tight moist free container.

Dilute SQ injections with NaCl or LRS.  ¹

Injections may cause skin ulceration.

Be sure to keep animals well hydrated in order to prevent crystalluria (formation of crystals in urine).

Reconstituted suspension from tablets should be kept refrigerated and has a 14 day expiration time.

Ciprofloxacin can be used simultaneously with doxycycline in the treatment of Mycoplasma. http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/bms/courses/bms514/chmrx/quinolhd.htm

Also, in treating suspected polymicrobial infections, where a broader coverage may be needed, synergistic or combination drugs may be used. The following drugs may be seen used simultaneously with ciprofloxacin: aminoglycosides (e.g., amikacin or gentamicin), or aminopenicillins (e.g., amoxicillin or ampicillin), or third generation cephalosporins, or clindamycin, or metronidazole.  ¹

Please note that it is imperative to discuss the changing, or adding, of any medications during your rat’s treatment with your veterinarian to prevent future resistance of microbes to the drugs prescribed.

Posted on March 14, 2004, 14:58, Last updated on June 10, 2008, 16:05 | Antimicrobial Agents