Ciprofloxacin (Ref: BRN 3568352)

Ciprofloxacin (Ref: BRN 3568352)	Last updated: 06/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A systemic fluoroquinolone antibiotic, usually used as an alternative to enrofloxacin to treat bacterial infections

Examples of veterinary uses

Used mainly for lower respiratory tract, skin, eye and urinary tract infections.

Examples of species treated

Cats; Dogs

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₁₇H₁₈FN₃O₃

Canonical SMILES

C1CC1N2C=C(C(=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C32)N4CCNCC4)F)C(=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

MYSWGUAQZAJSOK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C17H18FN3O3/c18-13-7-11-14(8-15(13)20-5-3-19-4-6-20)21(10-1-2-10)9-12(16(11)22)17(23)24/h7-10,19H,1-6H2,(H,23,24)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
ciprofloxacin	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Medicinal drug, Antibacterial, Antibiotic

Substance groups

Fluoroquinolone

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Enters bacterial cells and inhibits the enzyme DNA-gyrase that is involved in replicating and repairing DNA

Molecular targets

[DNA topoisomerase 4 subunit A, Antagonist], [DNA gyrase subunit A, Antagonist], [DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Antagonist]

CAS RN

85721-33-1

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for systemic use; Sensory organs: Opthalmologicals, Otologicals, Opthalmological & otological preparations

ATCvet Code

QJ01MA02; QS01AX13,QS02AA15, QS03AA07

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

331.35

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

CAS name

1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-1,4-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White or pale yellow, slightly hygroscopic, crystalline powder

Related substances & organisms

enrofloxacin

orbifloxacin

marbofloxacin

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1983, introduced

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Bayer plc.
Sanofi France
AdvaCare Pharma

Example products using this active

Ciproxin
Cipro
CiproCare

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as a liquid for injection, tablets, eyedrops and oral suspensions

Commercial production

The production of ciprofloxacin typically begins with 2,4-dichloro-5-fluorobenzoyl chloride, which undergoes a series of high-yielding reactions to form the fluoroquinolone core. A key intermediate is synthesised through nucleophilic displacement using cyclopropylamine, followed by C-acylation and intramolecular nucleophilic substitution to build the quinolone scaffold. The final steps involve coupling with piperazine and hydrolysis of ester groups to yield ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. Modern methods have streamlined this into two- or three-step processes and even continuous flow synthesis, significantly reducing production time and cost while maintaining high purity and yield.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

3000

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

318

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.07 X 10⁰¹

Calculated

Log P

1.03

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

6.27

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

2.19 X 10^-07

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Literature quotes substance mostly disappeared after 65 days

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

2.05

Sewage sludge

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

6100

Notes and range

Data for loamy sand; Other studies K_oc range 35342-134465 mL g⁻¹

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 100

Danio rerio

Low

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 60

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 4

Ceriodaphnia dubia LC₅₀

Moderate

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

2.97

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Moderate

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ > 1000 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 122 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Excretion is rapid <1day, ~50% is excreted in urine as unchanged drug and about 15% as metabolites. Also identified in breast milk.

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Possible liver and kidney toxicant
May cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems
May cause headache, dizziness, confusion, insomnia and restlessness
May cause hypersensitivity and skin reactions

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

ciprofloxacin

French

ciprofloxacine

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

ciprofloxacino

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	06/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242