Overview of Ciprofloxacin User Reviews
This section contains all of the individual user reviews and antibiotic susceptibilty rankings for CIPROFLOXACIN (Cipro, Ciloxin).
If you have used ciprofloxacin as a treatment for acne vulgaris, please share your experience and opinions.
Type of Treatment: Rx Medication – Antibiotic (Oral) - Quinolone Family
How It Works: Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic. Antibiotics can improve acne symptoms by limiting the growth of bacteria that contribute to Acne Vulgaris.
When is this medication used? Ciprofloxacin is rarely used as a treatment for acne. Ciprofloxacin is generally combined with additional medications for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris (Acne Types: 3-4). Ciprofloxacin is almost never used alone as a monotherapy.
Frequency of ciprofloxacin Resistant P. acnes Bacteria: Occasional. (What does this mean?)
Official Name: Ciprofloxacin
Popular Brand Names: Cipro, Ciloxin, Ciflox, Ciplex, Baycip.
Related Medications: Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Gatifloxacin, Nadifloxacin, Nalidixic Acid, Ofloxacin and Norfloxacin.
Important Note: The information provided on this site is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. The Science of Acne strongly encourages you to consult a qualified medical professional before making any treatment decisions. For the complete disclaimer, click here.
Overall (Composite) Ranking for Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Overall Score - Scale: 1 (WORST) to 5 (BEST)
The COMPOSITE ranking is calculated from a combination of all of the individual rankings for this medication (EFFECTIVENESS, ADVERSE EFFECTS and ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY).
This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (WORST) to 5 (BEST).
Share Your Experience with ciprofloxacin – Rate This Medication
Effectiveness Ranking for Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Effectiveness Score - Scale: 1 (NOT EFFECTIVE) to 5 (VERY EFFECTIVE)
Ciprofloxacin is a medication that is rarely used to treat acne vulgaris.
Ciprofloxacin appears to be moderately effective for treating acne vulgaris. It is most effective when combined with a complimentary antibiotic. Ciprofloxacin is rarely used alone (mono-therapy).
The EFFECTIVENESS ranking is based on patient reports of how effective this medication was at improving their acne symptoms.
This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (NOT EFFECTIVE) to 5 (VERY EFFECTIVE).
Share Your Experience with ciprofloxacin – Rate This Medication
Adverse Effects Ranking for Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Side Effects Score - Scale: 1 (NONE) to 5 (SEVERE)
The ADVERSE EFFECTS ranking is based on patient reports about the adverse effects and side effects that they experienced with this medication.
This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (NO SIDE EFFECTS) to 5 (SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS).
Share Your Experience with ciprofloxacin – Rate This Medication
Antibiotic Susceptibility Ranking for Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Antibiotic Susceptibility Score - Scale: 1 (NOT SUSCEPTIBLE) to 5 (VERY SUSCEPTIBLE)
The ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY ranking is based on scientific research reports about the antibiotic sensitivity of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which is a bacterium that is a primary cause of acne symptoms. Our antibiotic susceptibility data is generated from the combined results of over 50 independent scientific studies. For more information about which antibiotics are most effective against P. acnes bacteria, visit the Antibiotic Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes page.
Frequency of ciprofloxacin Resistant P. acnes Bacteria: Occasional. (What does this mean?)
This ranking is scored on a scale of 1 (NOT SUSCEPTIBLE) to 5 (VERY SUSCEPTIBLE).
Share Your Experience with ciprofloxacin – Rate This Medication
User Recommendations for Ciprofloxacin
Do Acne Patients Recommend Ciprofloxacin as a Treatment?
The USER RECOMMENDATIONS chart indicates how many reviewers recommended this medication as a treatment for Acne Vulgaris. These recommendations are only from The Science of Acne users. For additional reviews of this medication from outside sources, refer to the section below.
There are four options available for this ranking:
YES (definitely recommended)
MAYBE (conditionally recommended)
NO (not recommended)
DON’T KNOW (no opinion)
Outside Reviews of Ciprofloxacin
The following is a list of links to pages that review or discuss the use of this medication. Note: Some of these reviews are not specific to the use of this medication in the treatment of Acne Vulgaris.
Additional Patient Reviews of Ciprofloxacin: Acne.org, WebMD, Drugs.com, RXList.com, DrugLib.com, EverydayHealth.com, DailyStrength.org, RateADrug.com, AskAPatient.com.
Ciprofloxacin Background
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Molecule
Ciprofloxacin is a member of a class of antibiotics called quinolones. It is probably best known as the first line treatment for anthrax infection. Ciprofloxacin kills bacteria by inhibiting an essential bacterial enzyme called DNA gyrase. DNA gyrase allows bacteria to access and replicate their genetic code. Treatment with ciproflixacin prevents this enzyme from functioning properly, and therefore prevents the bacteria from reading and copying their own DNA.
Ciprofloxacin is the most commonly used antibiotic in the quinolone family. Ciprofloxacin is widely available in both brand name and generic formulations around the world. Throughout the early 2000′s, global annual sales of ciprofloxacin exceeded $1 billion (US$). Recently, serious questions have been raised about potential side effects related to ciprofloxacin use, which has begun to suppress sales of the medication. Many quinolones, including ciprofloxacin have been implicated in joint and tendon related problems, and there are several lawsuits in progress that are related to this issue.
Problems associated antibiotic resistant bacteria are a major problem with ciprofloxacin (and other quinolone antibiotics). It is much easier for bacteria to develop resistance to ciprofloxacin, than it is to develop resistance to most other types of antibiotics. The development of ciprofloxacin resistance only requires small mutations in the bacterial genetic code, and this makes it easy for bacteria to spontaneously acquire resistance to this family of antibiotics. Many medical and scientific professionals advocate using alternative antibiotics, when possible, to preserve the effectiveness of the quinolone family for urgent cases of infection. Quinolones may also be prescribed in combination with additional antibiotics to imrpove their efficacy and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
Additional Names for Ciprofloxacin: Aceoto, Alciprocin, Antox, Bactall, Bactiflox, Baycip, Benzing, Biofloxcin, Biofloxin, C-Flox, Cetraxal, Cetraxan, Cifloc, Ciflodal, Ciflosacin, Ciflox, Cifloxager, Cifloxin, Cifran, Cilofloc, CiloQuin, Cilox, Cip eco, Ciperus, Cipflox, Ciphin, Ciprenit, Ciprex, Ciprinol, Ciprobay, Ciprobel, Ciprocinal, Ciprodar, Ciprodex, Ciprodox, Ciprodura, Ciprofat, Ciprofloksacin, Ciproflox, Ciprofloxacina, Ciprofloxacine, Ciprofloxacino, Ciprofloxacinum, Ciprogen, Ciprogis, Ciprohexal, Ciprol, Ciprolet, Ciprolon, Cipromed, Cipromid, Ciprox, Ciproxan, Ciproxin, Ciproxina, Ciproxine, Ciprum, Citeral, Clioxan, Cyprofloksacyna, Displotin, Dynafloc, Emicipro, Flokisyl, Floxacin, Giroflox, Grifociprox, Gyracip, Ificipro, Isino, Lucipro, Maxiflox, Medaflox, Neoflox, Neofloxin, Nivoflox, Peiton, Prociflor, Proflaxin, Proquin, Proxacin, Quilox, Quintor, Sanfloks, Serviflox, Truoxin, Üro Ciproxin, Viprolox and Zumaflox
Important Note: The information provided on this site is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. The Science of Acne strongly encourages you to consult a qualified medical professional before making any treatment decisions. For the complete disclaimer, click here.
Ciprofloxacin Cost and Availability
If possible, ciprofloxacin should be obtained through consultation of a qualified medical professional. Many dermatologists and physicians are familiar with this medication. Many doctors are comfortable with the use of this medication, but some are not. It is not commonly used for the treatment of acne. Ciprofloxacin is available in both generic and brand name formulations. Generic ciprofloxacin tends to be moderately expensive and brand name ciprofloxacin tends to be expensive.
Important Note: The information provided above is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement. The Science of Acne encourages you to adhere to all applicable legal regulations in your jurisdiction. Before ordering pharmaceutical medications online, please read our overview: A Guide to Buying Prescription Medications on the Internet.
Ciprofloxacin Price Comparison
The following pharmacies carry ciprofloxacin and can be used sources to compare prices. The laws regarding prescription medications in most countries in North America and Europe require that a pharmacy receive a valid doctor’s prescription for all antibiotics and other non-narcotic prescription medications. However, pharmacies in many other countries (eg. India, Turkey and Mexico) classify antibiotics and other non-narcotic medications as “Over The Counter” and may not require a doctor’s prescription to dispense these products.
Pharmacies for Price Comparisons
4Rx.com (India)
CanadaPharmacy.com (Canada)
Drugstore.com (Rite-Aid) (USA)
Freedom-Pharmacy.com (Vanuatu/Turkey)
Generic4All.com (India)
ThePharmacyExpress.com (Vanuatu/Turkey)
Wal-Mart (USA)
Related Articles from The Science of Acne
In Depth: Ciprofloxacin and Acne
Overview: Avoiding Negative Drug Interactions
A Guide to Buying Prescription Medications on the Internet
Overview: Prescription Medications Used in Acne Treatment
In Depth: Antibiotic Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes
References and Sources
Books
PDR Staff Writers. 2011. 2011 Physicians’ Desk Reference
Gallagher. 2011. Antibiotics Simplified, Second Edition
Habif. 2009. Clinical Dermatology
Goodheart. 2006. Acne For Dummies
Bartlett. 2012. Johns Hopkins ABX Guide 2012 (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
Online Resources
Ciprofloxacin @ PubMed Health – The National Institute of Health (US) offers basic comprehensive information about most common medications.
Ciprofloxacin @ Wikipedia – Wikipedia is an excellent resource for learning about how medications work.
Ciprofloxacin Physician’s Insert – The physician’s insert for a medication contains nearly all of the relevant information, including indications, dosage information and background data.
Scientific Research Articles
Coates, et al. 2002. Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant propionibacteria on the skin of acne patients: 10-year surveillance data and snapshot distribution study.
Vali, et al. 2009. The Efficacy of Topical Solution of 0.3% Ciprofloxacin in Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris.
Nenoff, et al. 2006. Acne vulgaris and bacterial skin infections: review of the topical quinolone nadifloxacin.
Mory, et al. 2004. In vitro activities of cefotaxime, vancomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, linezolid and other antibiotics alone and in combination against Propionibacterium acnes isolates from central nervous system infections.
Kawada, et al. 2004. Clinical effectiveness of levofloxacin for inflammatory acne with high lesion concentrations.
Ross, et al. 2003. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antibiotic-resistant Propionibacterium acnes isolated from acne patients attending dermatology clinics in Europe, the U.S.A., Japan and Australia.
Ramage, et al. 2003. Formation of Propionibacterium acnes biofilms on orthopaedic biomaterials and their susceptibility to antimicrobials.
Behra-Milliet, et al. 2002. Antianaerobic activity of moxifloxacin compared with that of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, metronidazole and β-lactams.
Campoli-Richards, et al. 1988. Ciprofloxacin. A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use.
Barry, et al. 1984. Antibacterial activities of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, oxolinic acid, cinoxacin, and nalidixic acid.
Smith, et al. 1996. Susceptibility testing of Propionibacterium acnes comparing agar dilution with E test.
Vogt, et al. 1992. Comparative activity of the topical quinolone OPC-7251 against bacteria associated with acne vulgaris.
Pankuch, et al. 1993. Susceptibilities of 428 gram-positive and -negative anaerobic bacteria to Bay y3118 compared with their susceptibilities to ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, metronidazole, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and cefoxitin.
Discussion