The Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation

 

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  The Toxicity Profile for Ciprofloxacin     


All brand names are trademarks of their respected manufacturers.  The information being provided below is to be considered a quick reference guide.  For complete information please view the complete package insert at www.rxlist.com

PDF version of the package insert can be found at the FDA website following this link.  Remember Adobe Reader is required to view this.

http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2004/

Ciprofloxacin
Brand Names: Cipr, Ci[proHC, Ciloxan Opht, Baycip, Cetraxal, Ciflox, Cifran, Ciplox, Ciprobay, Quintor
BAYER CIPROFLOXACIN HYDROCHLORIDE FDA Approval Date: OCT 22, 1987 CIPRO

Public Citizen list this drug for LIMITED USEAGE

Limited Use
Generic drug name: ciprofloxacin (sip roe FLOX a sin) 
Brand name(s): CILOXAN; CIPRO (Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp.)
GENERIC: not available    FAMILY: Fluoroquinolones
 


Peripheral Neuropathy
Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and/or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving quinolones.

 

QUINOLONES MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PROLONG THE QTc INTERVAL OF THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM IN SOME PATIENTS. DUE TO THE LACK OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE, GATIFLOXACIN SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN PATIENTS WITH KNOWN PROLONGATION OF THE QTc INTERVAL, PATIENTS WITH UNCORRECTED HYPOKALEMIA, AND PATIENTS RECEIVING CLASS IA (E.G. QUINIDINE, PROCAINAMIDE) OR CLASS III (E.G. AMIODARONE, SOTALOL) ANTIARRHYTHMIC AGENTS.

Ruptures of the shoulder, hand, and Achilles tendons that required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability have been reported in patients receiving quinolones. Tendon rupture can occur during or after therapy with quinolones.

Quinolones may cause central nervous system (CNS) events including nervousness, agitation, insomnia, anxiety, nightmares, or paranoia.

As with other quinolones, disturbances of blood glucose, including symptomatic hyper- and hypoglycemia, have been reported, usually in diabetic patients receiving concomitant treatment with an oral hypoglycemic (e. g., glyburide) or with insulin. In these patients, the monitoring of blood glucose is recommended.

 

Recent Changes to the package insert:
July 2004 Cipro Warnings:

Changes made to the package insert for Cipro IV:
WARNINGS
Pseudomembranous Colitis: After the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis has been established, therapeutic measures should be initiated. Mild cases of pseudomembranous colitis usually respond to drug discontinuation alone. In moderate to severe cases, consideration should be given to management with fluids and electrolytes, protein supplementation, and treatment with an antibacterial drug clinically effective against C. difficile colitis. Drugs that inhibit peristalsis should be avoided.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and/or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including Ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness, or is found to have deficits in light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, vibratory sensation, and/or motor strength in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition.

Tendon Effects: Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon. Patients should rest and refrain from exercise until the diagnosis of tendinitis or tendon rupture has been excluded. Tendon rupture can occur during or after therapy with quinolones, including Ciprofloxacin. {notice the lack of warning regarding the use of steroids}

Changes made to the package insert for Cipro Tab:

WARNINGS
Peripheral Neuropathy: Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and/or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including Ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness, or is found to have deficits in light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, vibratory sensation, and/or motor strength in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition

Tendon Effects: Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon. Patients should rest and refrain from exercise until the diagnosis of tendinitis or tendon rupture has been excluded. Tendon rupture can occur during or after therapy with quinolones, including Ciprofloxacin. {notice the lack of warning regarding the use of steroids}


Changes made to the package insert for Cipro XR:

WARNINGS
Pseudomembranous Colitis: After the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis has been established, therapeutic measures should be initiated. Mild cases of pseudomembranous colitis usually respond to drug discontinuation alone. In moderate to severe cases, consideration should be given to management with fluids and electrolytes, protein supplementation, and treatment with an antibacterial drug clinically effective against C. difficile colitis. Drugs that inhibit peristalsis should be avoided.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy hypoesthesias, dysesthesias and weakness have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including Ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness, or is found to have deficits in light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, vibratory sensation, and/or motor strength in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition.

Tendon Effects: Ruptures of the shoulder, hand, Achilles tendon or other tendons that required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including Ciprofloxacin. Post-marketing surveillance reports indicate that this risk may be increased in patients receiving concomitant corticosteroids, especially the elderly. Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon. Patients should rest and refrain from exercise until the diagnosis of tendinitis or tendon rupture has been excluded. Tendon rupture can occur during or after therapy with quinolones, including Ciprofloxacin.


April 2004 Cipro Warnings
http://www..univgraph.com/bayer/inserts/ciprotab.pdf.

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY: Rare cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy affecting small and or large axons resulting in paresthesias, hypoaesthesias, dysesthesias, and weakness have been reported in patients taking quinolones including ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness and or weakness or is found to have deficits in light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, vibratory sensation, and or motor strength in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition.


Concomitant steroid warning Added to Cipro March 2004.
 


The complete package insert can be viewed at www.rxlist.com

The following has been associated with ciprofloxacin therapy:

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY (as noted above)

Achilles and other
tendon ruptures that required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability.

Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure, and toxic psychosis.

Central nervous system (CNS) events including: dizziness, confusion, tremors, hallucinations, depression, and, rarely,
suicidal thoughts or acts. These reactions may occur following the first dose.

Severe hypersensitivity reactions characterized by rash, fever, eosinophilia,
jaundice, and hepatic necrosis with fatal outcome

Pseudomembranous colitis and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening.

Lameness in immature dogs with
permanent lesions of the cartilage.

Central nervous system (CNS) events, including nervousness, agitation,
insomnia, anxiety, nightmares or paranoia.

Crystalluria

Moderate to
severe photoxicity

Pregnancy Warning

Fluoroquinolones caused fetal harm in animal studies, including decreased body weights and malformed bones as well as an increased risk of death. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects to the fetus, these drugs should not be used by pregnant women.

Breast-feeding Warning

Fluoroquinolones are excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects in nursing infants, you should not take these drugs while nursing.

 


Additional adverse events reported, regardless of relationship to the drug:

Body as a Whole: Change in serum phenytoin.

Cardiovascular: Palpitation, atrial flutter, ventricular ectopy, syncope, hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cardiopulmonary arrest, cerebral thromobosis. Cardiovascular collapse, cardiopulmonary arrest, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, tachycardia, palpitation, cerebral thrombosis, syncope, cardiac murmur, hypertension, hypotension, angina pectoris. Postural hypotension, vasculitis.

Central Nervous System: Dizziness, lightheadedness, insomnia, nightmares, hallucinations, manic reaction, irritability, tremor, ataxia, convulsive seizures, lethargy, drowsiness, weakness, malaise, anorexia, phobia, depersonalization, depression, paresthesia. Convulsive seizures, paranoia, toxic psychosis, depression, dysphasia, phobia, depersonalization, manic reaction, unresponsiveness, ataxia, confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, lightheadedness, paresthesia, anxiety, tremor, insomnia, nightmares, weakness, drowsiness, irritability, malaise, lethargy Agitation, confusion, delirium, dysphasia, myoclonus, nystagmus, toxic psychosis.
.
Gastrointestinal: Painful oral mucosa, oral candidiasis, dysphagia, intestinal perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding. Cholestatic jaundice has been reported. Ileus, jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, C. difficle associated diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, pancreatitis, hepatic necrosis, intestinal perforation, dyspepsia, epigastric or abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, oral ulceration, oral candidiasis, mouth dryness, anorexia, dysphagia, flatulence Constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic necrosis, jaundice, pancreatitis, pseudomembranous colitis. (The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antimicrobial treatment.)

Hemic/Lymphatic: Agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, methemaglobinemia, prolongation of prothrombin time

Metabolic/Nutritional: Elevation of serum triglycerides, cholesterol, blood glucose, serum potassium.

Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia or back pain, joint stiffness, achiness, neck or chest pain, flare up of gout. Arthralgia, jaw, arm or back pain, joint stiffness, neck and chest pain, achiness, flare up of gout Myalgia, possible exacerbation of myasthenia gravis, tendinitis/tendon rupture.

Renal/Urogenital: Interstitial nephritis, nephritis, renal failure, polyuria, urinary retention, urethral bleeding, vaginitis, acidosis. Renal failure, intarstitial nephritis, hemorrhagic cystitis, renal calcuti, frequent urination, acidosis, urethral bleeding, polyuria, urinary retention, gynecomastia, candiduria, vaginitis. Crystalluria, cylindruria, hematuria, and albuminutia have also been reported.
Albuminuria, candiduria, renal calculi, vaginal candidiasis.

Respiratory: Dyspnea, epistaxis, laryngeal or pulmonary edema, hiccough, hemophysis, bronchospasm, pulmonary embolism. Respiratory arrest, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, respiratory distress, pleural effusion, hemoptysis, epistaxis, hiccough

Skin/Hypersensitivity: Pruritus, urticaria, photosensitivity, flushing, fever, chills, angioedema, edema of the face, neck, lips, conjunctivae or hands, cutaneous candidiasis, hyperpigmentation, erytherna nodosum. Allergic reactions ranging from urticaria to anaphylactic reactions have been reported. Anaphylactic reactions, erythema multiforme/Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, vasculitis, angioedema, edema of the lips, face, neck, conjunctivae, hands or lower extremities, purpura, fever, chills, flushing, pruritus, urtigaria, cutaneous candidiasis, vesicles, increased perspiration, hyperpigmentation, erythema nodosum, photosensitivity. Allergic reactions ranging from urticaria to anaphylactic reactions have been reported. Anaphylactic reactions, erythema multiforme/Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Special Senses: Blurred vision, disturbed vision (change in color perception, overbrightness of lights), decreased visual acuity, diplopia, eye pain, tinnitus, hearing loss, bad taste. Decreased visual acuity, blurred vision, disturbed vision (flashing lights, change in color perception, overbrightness of lights, diplopia), eye pain, anosmia, hearing loss, tinnitus, nystagmus, a bad taste Also reported were agranulocytosis, prolongation of prothrombin time, and possible exacerbation of myasthenia gravis. Anosmia, taste loss.
 


Adverse Laboratory Changes

Oral

Changes in Laboratory Parameters Listed as Adverse Events Without Regard to Drug Relationship:

Hepatic: Elevations of ALT (SGPT), AST (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase , LDH , serum bilirubin.
Hematologic: Eosinophilia, leukopenia, decreased blood platelets, elevated blood platelets, pancytopenia.

Renal: Elevations of serum creatinine, BUN, CRYSTALLURIA, CYLINDRURIA, AND HEMATURIA HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

Other Changes: Elevation of serum gammaglutamyl transferase, elevation of serum amylase, reduction in blood glucose, elevated uric acid, decrease in hemoglobin, anemia, bleeding diathesis, increase in blood monocytes, leukocytosis.

I.V.

The most frequently reported changes in laboratory parameters with intravenous ciprofloxacin therapy, without regard to drug relationship are listed below:

Hepatic: Elevations of AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, LDH, and serum bilirubin.
Hematologic: Elevated eosinophil and platelet counts, decreased platelet counts, hemoglobin and/or hematocrit.

Renal: Elevations of serum creatinine, BUN, and uric acid.

Other: Elevations of serum creatinine, phosphokinase, serum theophylline (in patients receiving theophylline concomitantly), blood glucose, and triglycerides.

Other changes occurring infrequently were: decreased leukocyte count, elevated atypical lymphocyte count, immature WBCs, elevated serum calcium, elevation of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidose ( GI), decreased BUN, decreased uric acid, decreased total serum protein, decreased serum albumin, decreased serum potassium, elevated serum potassium, elevated serum cholesterol.

Other changes occurring rarely during administration of ciprofloxacin were: elevation of serum amylase, decrease of blood glucose, pancytopenia, leukocytosis, elevated sedimentation rate, change in serum phenytoin, decreased prothrombin time, hemolytic anemia, and bleeding diathesis.
 


ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY
Oral and I.V.

“Ciprofloxacin and other quinolones have been shown to cause arthropathy in immature animals of most species tested. …Damage of weight bearing joints was observed in juvenile dogs and rats. In young beagles, 100 mg/kg ciprofloxacin, given daily for 4 weeks, caused degenerative articular changes of the knee joint… In a subsequent study in beagles, removal of weight bearing from the joint reduced the lesions but did not totally prevent them.” Source: www.rxlist.com

“Crystalluria, sometimes associated with secondary nephropathy, occurs in laboratory animals dosed with ciprofloxacin….In rhesus monkeys, crystalluria without nephropathy has been noted after single oral doses as low as 5 mg/kg…In dogs, ciprofloxacin at 3 and 10 mg/kg by rapid IV injection (15 sec.) produces pronounced hypotensive effects…In rhesus monkeys, rapid IV injection also produces hypotension but the effect in this species is inconsistent and less pronounced.” Source: www.rxlist.com

“In mice, concomitant administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone and indomethacin with quinolones has been reported to enhance the CNS stimulatory effect of quinolones." Source: www.rxlist.com

"Ocular toxicity seen with some related drugs has not been observed in ciprofloxacin-treated animals.” Source: www.rxlist.com

All brand names are trademarks of their respected manufacturers.  The information being provided above is to be considered a quick reference guide.  For complete information please view the complete package insert at www.rxlist.com