Ciprofloxacin: learn about side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more on MedlinePlus Ciprofloxacin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Ciprofloxacin belongs to a class of drugs called quinolone antibiotics. Learn about side effects, dosages, drug interactions, and more. Ciprofloxacin — sold under the brand name Cipro — is a powerful broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat over a dozen serious bacterial infections. Ciprofloxacin was approved by the FDA in 1987 as the latest addition to the class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. Doctors hailed it as a breakthrough — a broad-spectrum antibiotic capable of treating both routine and resistant bacterial infections. Find patient medical information for Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR, Proquin XR) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections. It doesn’t treat viral infections. Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone) antibiotic, it is used to treat different types of bacterial infections. It is also used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax or certain types of plague. Ciprofloxacin extended-release is only approved for use in adults. Ciprofloxacin is used to treat a wide variety of infections, including infections of bones and joints, endocarditis, bacterial gastroenteritis, malignant otitis externa, bubonic plague, respiratory tract infections, cellulitis, urinary tract infections, prostatitis, anthrax, and chancroid. Ciprofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. Ciprofloxacin oral liquid and tablets are also used to treat anthrax infection after inhalational exposure. This medicine is also used to treat and prevent plague (including pneumonic and septicemic plague). Learn about the side effects of ciprofloxacin, from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals.