Ciprofloxacin
CiproPubChem CID 2764 · 3D model
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Jams the molecular machinery bacteria need to copy their DNA, so they can't multiply and die off.
How it works
Ciprofloxacin targets two enzymes bacteria rely on to unwind and copy their DNA before they divide. By locking onto these enzymes, the drug causes breaks in the bacteria's DNA that never get repaired, so the bacteria can't reproduce. This kills the bacteria outright rather than just slowing them down. It works this way because the enzymes it targets are specific to bacteria and different enough from human enzymes that the drug can attack the infection without the same effect on human cells.
What it’s used for
Used to treat a range of bacterial infections — urinary tract and bladder infections, prostate infections, lung infections and bronchitis flare-ups, sinus infections, skin infections, bone and joint infections, serious abdominal infections, some types of infectious diarrhea and typhoid fever, gonorrhea, and certain STDs. It's also used after exposure to anthrax or plague. Because of a risk of serious side effects like tendon damage and nerve problems, doctors are advised to use it for milder infections only when no other antibiotic option will work.
- Mechanism
- Fluoroquinolone, inhibits DNA gyrase / topoisomerase IV
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Antibiotic