Austell Ciprofloxacin is a prescription antibiotic containing ciprofloxacin, available as 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg tablets. It is used for certain bacterial infections — particularly of the urinary tract, prostate, gut, bones and skin. It is a reserved antibiotic with specific risks, and it does nothing for colds or flu.
What is Austell Ciprofloxacin?
This product contains ciprofloxacin and is Schedule 4 — prescription-only. Austell is the manufacturer:
| Product | Strength |
|---|---|
| Austell Ciprofloxacin | Ciprofloxacin 250 mg |
| Austell Ciprofloxacin | Ciprofloxacin 500 mg |
| Austell Ciprofloxacin | Ciprofloxacin 750 mg |
Ciprofloxacin is widely available in South Africa under other names too, including Ciploxx, Cifran and generic ciprofloxacin. Being dispensed one rather than another is ordinary generic substitution.
Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It blocks two bacterial enzymes — DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV — that bacteria need to copy and repair their DNA. Without them the bacterium cannot divide and dies. Human cells do not use these enzymes in the same way, which makes the drug selective for bacteria.
Ciprofloxacin is a reserved antibiotic, not a general-purpose one. Guidelines increasingly restrict fluoroquinolones to situations where other antibiotics are unsuitable. That is not caution for its own sake: this class carries a distinctive set of uncommon but serious side effects — affecting tendons, nerves, the aorta and mental state — which are covered below and which do not apply to most other antibiotics.
What is Austell Ciprofloxacin commonly used for?
A doctor may prescribe it for:
- Urinary tract infections, including complicated infections and some kidney infections.
- Prostate infections, where ciprofloxacin penetrates tissue that many antibiotics reach poorly.
- Gastrointestinal infections, including some bacterial gastroenteritis and typhoid fever.
- Bone and joint infections.
- Skin and soft-tissue infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
- Certain respiratory infections, where the specific organism calls for it.
- Some eye and ear infections, though these usually use drops rather than tablets.
It has no effect on viral illness. Colds, flu, most sore throats and most coughs are viral, and an antibiotic will not shorten them.
How Austell Ciprofloxacin fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| Penicillins | Amoxicillin, flucloxacillin | Common first-line choices |
| Cephalosporins | Cefalexin | Skin, throat, urinary infections |
| Macrolides | Azithromycin | Chest infections, penicillin allergy |
| Fluoroquinolones | Ciprofloxacin | Urinary, prostate, gut, bone infections; reserved |
| Nitroimidazoles | Metronidazole | Anaerobic and some parasitic infections |
| Tetracyclines | Doxycycline | Chest, skin, tick-borne infections |
See the antibiotics and antimicrobials hub.
What to check before using Austell Ciprofloxacin
Separate it from calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. This matters more with ciprofloxacin than with most antibiotics. Dairy products, antacids, and mineral supplements such as Slow-Mag bind ciprofloxacin in the gut and can prevent it being absorbed — a common reason treatment fails. Leave several hours between them, as your pharmacist directs.
Complete the full course as prescribed, even once you feel better.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Have had a reaction to any quinolone antibiotic before.
- Have tendon problems, or previous tendonitis on a quinolone.
- Have kidney disease, which may change the dose.
- Have epilepsy or a seizure disorder.
- Have myasthenia gravis — ciprofloxacin can worsen it significantly.
- Have a heart rhythm disorder, or take medicines affecting the QT interval.
- Have an aortic aneurysm, a condition affecting the aorta, or a family history of one.
- Have a history of depression or psychiatric illness.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take warfarin, theophylline, tizanidine, methotrexate, corticosteroids such as prednisone — which add to tendon risk — or an NSAID such as ibuprofen.
- Are giving it to a child or teenager, where quinolones are used only in specific circumstances.
Drink plenty of water while taking it, and take doses at evenly spaced times.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, headache and dizziness.
Fluoroquinolones carry uncommon but serious risks worth knowing by name, because acting early matters:
Stop and contact a doctor promptly if you develop:
- Pain, swelling or inflammation in a tendon — the Achilles especially. Tendon rupture can occur, risk is higher in older people and those taking steroids, and it can happen even weeks after stopping. Rest the limb and seek advice rather than exercising through it.
- Sudden severe pain in the chest, abdomen or back — seek emergency care.
- Pins and needles, numbness, burning or weakness in the hands or feet, which can be long-lasting.
- Confusion, hallucinations, marked anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts.
- A seizure.
- Severe or bloody diarrhoea, during or after the course, which may indicate a C. difficile infection.
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- A spreading rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- Palpitations or fainting.
- Vision changes, or joint pain and swelling.
Ciprofloxacin makes skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use sun protection and avoid deliberate sun exposure during the course.
Be cautious with intense exercise while taking it, given the tendon risk.
Contact your doctor if symptoms do not improve after a few days on treatment, or if they worsen at any point.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Antibiotics, Antifungals & Antimicrobials guides
- Read: Azrotrin used for
- Read: Metronidazole used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Austell Ciprofloxacin 500 mg used for? Bacterial infections where ciprofloxacin is appropriate — commonly urinary tract, prostate, gut, bone and certain skin infections. It is prescription-only.
What is Austell Ciprofloxacin 250 mg used for? The lower strength, used for the same range of infections. Your doctor chooses the strength based on the infection and your kidney function.
Is it the same as Cipro or Ciploxx? The active ingredient is the same — ciprofloxacin. The manufacturer differs.
Will it help flu or a cold? No. Those are viral infections and antibiotics have no effect on them.
Why must I avoid dairy and antacids around it? Calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc bind ciprofloxacin in the gut and stop it being absorbed. Separate them by several hours.
Can I exercise while taking it? Be cautious with intense exercise because of the tendon risk. Stop and seek advice at any tendon pain or swelling.
Can I stop once I feel better? No. Finish the prescribed course unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Why is it described as a reserved antibiotic? Because fluoroquinolones carry uncommon but serious risks to tendons, nerves and the aorta, they are kept for infections where other antibiotics are unsuitable.