Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that blocks bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes needed to replicate and repair DNA.

DNA gyrase: A bacterial enzyme that relieves DNA twisting during replication and transcription. Ciprofloxacin traps this enzyme on DNA, disrupting replication and damaging bacterial chromosomes.
Urinary tract infection: An infection involving the bladder, urethra, ureters, or kidneys. Ciprofloxacin can treat selected complicated urinary infections when the organism is susceptible.
Levofloxacin: A fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for selected respiratory and other bacterial infections. Its stronger activity against many respiratory pathogens contrasts with ciprofloxacin’s prominent antipseudomonal activity.
Antibiotic: A substance that kills bacteria or inhibits their growth. Ciprofloxacin is one specific antibacterial drug within this broad category.
Topoisomerase IV: A bacterial enzyme that separates interlinked daughter chromosomes after DNA replication. Ciprofloxacin inhibits this second target, especially in many Gram-positive bacteria.
Anthrax: A serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Ciprofloxacin is an option for treatment and post-exposure prevention.
Moxifloxacin: A fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for selected respiratory and other infections. Unlike ciprofloxacin, it generally has poor activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Bactericidal antibiotic: An antibiotic that kills bacteria rather than merely inhibiting their growth. Ciprofloxacin’s disruption of DNA can produce bacterial cell death.
Fluoroquinolone: A class of synthetic antibiotics that inhibit bacterial type II topoisomerases. Ciprofloxacin is a prominent member of this antibiotic class.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: An opportunistic bacterium associated with difficult-to-treat infections, especially in healthcare settings. Ciprofloxacin has activity against susceptible strains, including some infections caused by this organism.

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TobramycinCompared with: It offers a different mechanism and may be an alternative for susceptible Pseudomonas infections.