4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Paediatric population
The use of ciprofloxacin in children and adolescents should follow available official guidance.

Ciprofloxacin treatment should be initiated only by physicians who are experienced in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and/or severe infections in children and adolescents.

Ciprofloxacin has been shown to cause arthropathy in weight-bearing joints of immature animals.
Safety data from a randomised double-blind study on ciprofloxacin use in children (ciprofloxacin: n=335, mean age = 6.3 years; comparators: n=349, mean age = 6.2 years; age range = 1 to 17 years) revealed an incidence of suspected drug-related arthropathy (discerned from joint-related clinical signs and symptoms) by Day +42 of 7.2% and 4.6%. Respectively, an incidence of drug-related arthropathy by 1-year follow-up was 9.0% and 5.7%. The increase of suspected drug-related arthropathy cases over time was not statistically significant between groups. Treatment should be initiated only after a careful benefit/risk evaluation, due to possible adverse events related to joints and/or surrounding tissue (see section 4.8).

Cytochrome P450
Ciprofloxacin inhibits CYP1A2 and thus may cause increased serum concentration of concomitantly administered substances metabolised by this enzyme (e.g. theophylline, clozapine, olanzapine, ropinirole, tizanidine, duloxetine, agomelatine). Co-administration of ciprofloxacin and tizanidine is contra-indicated. Therefore, patients taking these substances concomitantly with ciprofloxacin should be monitored closely for clinical signs of overdose, and determination of serum concentrations (e.g. of theophylline) may be necessary (see section 4.5).

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Effects of ciprofloxacin on other medicinal products:

Agomelatine
In clinical studies, it was demonstrated that fluvoxamine, as a strong inhibitor of the CYP450 1A2 isoenzyme, markedly inhibits the metabolism of agomelatine resulting in a 60-fold increase of agomelatine exposure. Although no clinical data are available for a possible interaction with ciprofloxacin, a moderate inhibitor of CYP450 1A2, similar effects can be expected upon concomitant administration (see section 4.4).

Zolpidem
Co-administration ciprofloxacin may increase blood levels of zolpidem, concurrent use is not recommended.

4.8 Undesirable effects

4.9 Overdose

Symptoms
An overdose of 12 g has been reported to lead to mild symptoms of toxicity. An acute overdose of 16 g has been reported to cause acute renal failure.
Symptoms in overdose consist of dizziness, tremor, headache, tiredness, seizures, hallucinations, confusion, abdominal discomfort, renal and hepatic impairment as well as crystalluria and haematuria.
Reversible renal toxicity has been reported.

Management
In the event of overdose, symptomatic treatment should be implemented. ECG monitoring should be undertaken, because of the possibility of QT interval prolongation.
Apart from routine emergency measures e.g. ventricular emptying followed by medical carbon, it is recommended to monitor renal function, including urinary pH and acidify, if required, to prevent crystalluria. Calcium or magnesium containing antacids may theoretically reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin in overdoses.
Patients should be kept well hydrated.
Only a small quantity of ciprofloxacin (<10%) is eliminated by haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Metabolism Biotransformation
Low concentrations of four metabolites have been reported, which were identified as: desethyleneciprofloxacin (M 1), sulphociprofloxacin (M 2), oxociprofloxacin (M 3) and formylciprofloxacin (M 4). The metabolites display in-vitro antimicrobial activity but to a lower degree than the parent compound.

Paediatric patients populations
The pharmacokinetic data in paediatric patients are limited.

In a study in children Cmax and AUC were not age-dependent (above one year of age). No notable increase in Cmax and AUC upon multiple dosing (10 mg/kg three times daily) was observed.

In 10 children with severe sepsis Cmax was 6.1 mg/L (range 4.6-8.3 mg/L) after a 1-hour intravenous infusion of 10 mg/kg in children aged less than 1 year compared to 7.2 mg/L (range 4.7-11.8 mg/L) for children between 1 and 5 years of age. The AUC values were 17.4 mg*h/L (range 11.8-32.0 mg*h/L) and 16.5 mg*h/L (range 11.0-23.8 mg*h/L) in the respective age groups.

These values are within the range reported for adults at therapeutic doses. Based on population pharmacokinetic analysis of paediatric patients with various infections, the predicted mean half-life in children is approx. 4-5 hours and the bioavailability of the oral suspension ranges from 50 to 80%.

Escherichia coli - the most common pathogen involved in urinary

tract infections - varies across the European Union. Prescribers are advised to take into account the

local prevalence of resistance in

Escherichia coli to fluoroquinolones.

.

Section 4.5

max and AUC of ciprofloxacin.

Section 4.6
Breast-feeding

Section 4.8
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders

Very Rare: Migraine Disturbed coordination Gait disturbance Olfactory nerve disorders Intracranial hypertension and pseudo tumorcerebri

Frequency not known

Peripheral neuropathy and poly neuropathy

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via IMB Pharmacovigilence, Earlsfort Terrace, IRL- Dublin 2; Tel: +353 1 6764971;  Fax: +353 1 6762517. Website: www.imb.ie; e-mail: imbpharmacovigilance@imb.ie