Description:

Bactiflox Neo 500mg  is a film-coated tablet containing ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It is used to treat moderate to severe bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms, including:

• Urinary tract infections (complicated and uncomplicated)
• Respiratory tract infections (e.g., acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia)
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Bone and joint infections
• Intra-abdominal infections
• Typhoid fever
• Gonorrhoea
• Certain other infections where other antibiotics are ineffective or contraindicated. In Ghana (Accra), it is a prescription antibiotic commonly used in hospitals and pharmacies for serious or resistant bacterial infections.

Prescription: Prescription-only (requires a doctor’s prescription in Ghana; dispensed by pharmacies with Rx; not OTC due to serious risks including tendon damage, QT prolongation, peripheral neuropathy, CNS effects, and antibiotic resistance concerns).

Therapeutic Category:

Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic (Systemic broad-spectrum antibacterial).

Active Ingredients/Composition: Each film-coated tablet contains:

• Active ingredient: Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride – equivalent to 500 mg ciprofloxacin. Other ingredients (excipients, typical): Microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol, talc, and iron oxides (for coloring). Tablets are usually white to off-white, oval/capsule-shaped, film-coated, and debossed with strength or manufacturer mark.

Vitamins: None.

Minerals: None.

Variant:

• Bactiflox Neo 500mg film-coated tablets (standard adult strength). Related variants: Ciprofloxacin 250mg, 750mg, or 1000mg tablets (lower/higher doses), ciprofloxacin oral suspension (for children), or ciprofloxacin IV infusion (for severe infections). The 500mg tablet is the most commonly prescribed adult oral strength.

Consume Type:

Oral – Film-coated tablet (swallow whole with water; do not crush or chew).

Directions/Usage: Take exactly as prescribed (usually twice daily).

• Adults: Typical dose 500 mg every 12 hours (twice daily).
  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infections: 250–500 mg twice daily for 3–7 days.
  • Complicated urinary/respiratory/skin/bone infections: 500–750 mg twice daily for 7–14 days (or longer in severe cases).
  • Gonorrhoea: 500 mg as a single dose.
  • Typhoid fever: 500 mg twice daily for 7–14 days.
• Take with a full glass of water; can be taken with or without food (avoid dairy products, calcium-fortified juices, or antacids within 2 hours – they reduce absorption).
• Duration: Complete the full course even if symptoms improve (usually 3–14 days depending on infection).
• Do not exceed prescribed dose or duration.

Common Side Effects: Common:

• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
• Central nervous system: Headache, dizziness, insomnia.
• Taste disturbance.
• Rash or photosensitivity (avoid excessive sun). Rare/serious (seek immediate help): Tendonitis/tendon rupture (especially Achilles tendon), peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling – may be permanent), QT prolongation (irregular heartbeat), severe allergic reactions, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, psychiatric effects (anxiety, confusion, hallucinations), or hypoglycaemia (in diabetics).

Package Type:

Blister packs (commonly 10 tablets per strip; packs of 1×10, 2×10 = 20, or 10×10 = 100 tablets; foil blisters in carton with patient information leaflet).

Storage Advice: Store at room temperature (below 25–30°C) in original packaging, protected from moisture and light. Keep tightly closed. Out of reach of children.

Safety Advice:

• High risk of serious adverse effects – tendon rupture (especially elderly, corticosteroid users, or renal impairment), peripheral neuropathy (may be permanent), QT prolongation (monitor ECG in cardiac patients), and CNS effects.
• Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to ciprofloxacin or other quinolones, myasthenia gravis (worsens muscle weakness), or concomitant use with tizanidine.
• Caution in patients with history of tendon disorders, seizure disorders, psychiatric illness, diabetes (hypoglycaemia risk), or renal impairment (dose adjustment required).
• Avoid in children (unless essential – arthropathic risk), pregnancy, and breastfeeding (not recommended).
• Do not take with dairy products, calcium/iron supplements, antacids, or multivitamins within 2 hours (reduce absorption).
• Report immediately: tendon pain/swelling, numbness/tingling, irregular heartbeat, severe diarrhoea, confusion, or severe rash.
• Keep out of reach of children (overdose risk).

Product Substitutes: Similar ciprofloxacin 500mg film-coated tablets in Ghana include:

• Generic ciprofloxacin 500mg tablets (various importers).
• Ciproxin (original Bayer brand if stocked).
• Other brands like Ciprotab, Ciprocin, Cipro-Denk, or local generics. Alternatives: Levofloxacin 500mg, moxifloxacin 400mg, or other antibiotics (amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime, etc.) depending on infection and susceptibility. Consult doctor/pharmacist in Accra for alternatives.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

Acino AG (Switzerland-based; part of the Acino Group, a global generic pharmaceutical company specializing in generics for emerging markets). Marketed/distributed in Ghana by local importers/pharmacies (widely stocked as imported generic).

Country of Origin:

Switzerland (manufactured by Acino AG or its licensed facilities; imported to Ghana and available in local pharmacies).