BACTRUSH 500

Ciprofloxacin is a second-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic with one of the most established safety and efficacy profiles in the antibiotic class. Like ofloxacin, it exerts bactericidal activity by simultaneously inhibiting two critical bacterial enzymes — DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV — trapping each in a cleaved DNA complex that causes lethal double-strand DNA breaks.

Ciprofloxacin's particular pharmacological strengths are its exceptional activity against gram-negative aerobic bacteria — particularly the Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Serratia) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Against Pseudomonas, ciprofloxacin is among the most potent oral agents available, achieving MIC inhibition at concentrations readily achievable with standard 500mg twice-daily oral dosing.

At 500mg per tablet, ciprofloxacin achieves urine concentrations of 200–300 mg/L against organisms with MICs below 4 mg/L — providing a concentration-over-MIC ratio that virtually guarantees bacteriuria eradication in susceptible UTIs. For Pseudomonas, whose MIC range for ciprofloxacin is 0.25–1 mg/L, the 500mg dose achieves urine concentrations 200–1200 times the MIC — making this the preferred oral agent for Pseudomonal UTIs.

Oral bioavailability is approximately 70–80%, with a half-life of 3–5 hours enabling twice-daily dosing. Food does not significantly affect absorption. Tissue penetration is excellent into prostate, lung, biliary tract, and bone.

BACTRUSH 500 is indicated for moderate bacterial infections caused by susceptible gram-negative organisms, particularly urological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory infections where Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas involvement is suspected or confirmed.

Urinary Tract Infections (Primary Indication): Uncomplicated UTIs (3–7 days), complicated UTIs and pyelonephritis (10–14 days), prostatitis (28 days), and recurrent UTIs. Ciprofloxacin achieves the highest urinary concentrations of any oral fluoroquinolone, making it the urologist's preferred oral antibiotic.

Gastrointestinal Infections: Infectious diarrhoea caused by Campylobacter, Shigella, and enterotoxigenic E. coli; typhoid and paratyphoid fever; traveller's diarrhoea. Ciprofloxacin penetrates intestinal mucosa and achieves intraluminal concentrations sufficient for enteric pathogen eradication.

Respiratory Infections: Community-acquired pneumonia (when gram-negative pathogens are suspected), hospital-acquired pneumonia in non-critically ill patients, and acute exacerbations of COPD with Pseudomonas risk (bronchiectasis patients).

Bone and Joint Infections: Osteomyelitis caused by gram-negative organisms — ciprofloxacin's excellent bone penetration makes it a preferred oral agent for gram-negative osteomyelitis.

Skin Infections: Complicated skin infections with suspected gram-negative involvement, including diabetic foot infections in combination with agents covering anaerobes and gram-positives.

Dosage and administration should be as prescribed by a qualified doctor or medical professional. Do not self-medicate. Always follow your physician's instructions regarding dose, frequency and duration of treatment.