References UK clinical guidance from the NHS, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). Last updated: April 2026.
Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that was previously used to treat gonorrhoea. Due to widespread antibiotic resistance, ciprofloxacin is no longer recommended for gonorrhoea in the UK. Current BASHH guidelines recommend ceftriaxone injection instead.
If you’ve been searching for ciprofloxacin to treat an STI, or have been prescribed it for another condition and want to know if it will also cover an STI, here’s what you need to know.
Not sure what you have? Get tested first
What Is Ciprofloxacin Used For?
Ciprofloxacin remains an effective antibiotic for many infections, just not for gonorrhoea:
| Condition | Still Effective? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gonorrhoea | No — high resistance | Ceftriaxone injection is first-line |
| Urinary tract infections | Yes (some strains) | Resistance increasing |
| Prostatitis | Yes | Good prostate penetration |
| Traveller’s diarrhoea | Yes | Common use |
| Bone and joint infections | Yes | Good bone penetration |
| Chlamydia | No | Not effective against Chlamydia trachomatis |
Why Ciprofloxacin No Longer Works for Gonorrhoea
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium causing gonorrhoea, has developed extensive resistance to ciprofloxacin. In the UK, resistance rates exceed 30%, meaning nearly one in three gonorrhoea infections would not respond to ciprofloxacin treatment.
This resistance emerged because ciprofloxacin was heavily prescribed for gonorrhoea throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The bacterium evolved to survive the drug. BASHH stopped recommending ciprofloxacin for gonorrhoea in 2005.
The current first-line treatment for gonorrhoea is a single intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone 1g, sometimes combined with oral azithromycin 1g. This is available free at sexual health clinics.
How Ciprofloxacin Works
Ciprofloxacin works by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes that bacteria need to replicate their DNA. Without these enzymes, the bacteria cannot reproduce and die.
It’s well absorbed orally and reaches effective concentrations in most body tissues, including the urinary tract, prostate, bones, and lungs.
Dosage
- UTIs: 250-500mg twice daily for 3-7 days
- Prostatitis: 500mg twice daily for 28 days
- Take with water, with or without food
- Avoid dairy products, calcium, iron, and antacids within 2 hours of taking ciprofloxacin (they reduce absorption)
Side Effects
- Nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain (common)
- Headache, dizziness (common)
- Photosensitivity — increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Tendon damage — ciprofloxacin carries an FDA black box warning for tendon rupture, particularly the Achilles tendon. Risk increases with age, steroid use, and kidney problems
- Peripheral neuropathy — tingling, numbness in extremities (rare but can be permanent)
Due to the tendon and nerve risks, ciprofloxacin should only be used when other antibiotics are not suitable. The MHRA advises restricting fluoroquinolone use to serious infections where alternatives are inadequate.
Where to Get Ciprofloxacin in the UK
Ciprofloxacin is prescription-only. Your GP can prescribe it for appropriate infections (UTIs, prostatitis). It is not available for gonorrhoea treatment.
Read more: What is gonorrhoea? | Azithromycin | Doxycycline
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ciprofloxacin for chlamydia?
No. Ciprofloxacin is not effective against Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia requires azithromycin or doxycycline.
Why do some countries still use ciprofloxacin for gonorrhoea?
Resistance rates vary by region. Some countries with lower resistance levels may still use ciprofloxacin, but this is decreasing globally. In the UK, resistance is too high for it to be reliable.
Can my pharmacist give me ciprofloxacin without a prescription?
No. Ciprofloxacin requires a prescription in the UK.
Related reading
- Using Antibiotics to Prevent STIs: DoxyPEP Explained
- Azithromycin: Uses in Sexual Health
- Best Antibiotics for STIs: A Practical Guide
- Clindamycin: Uses in Sexual Health
- Diflucan (Fluconazole): What It Does
Sources
- NHS — Sexual health conditions
- BASHH — UK clinical guidelines for STI management
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) — HIV treatment guidelines
- Terrence Higgins Trust — sexual health information
- UK Health Security Agency — STI surveillance data
Steve Page is a recognised expert on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and STD treatments, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at conferences around the world. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest medical research on STDs, and is an advocate for the development of new treatments and protocols to improve the health of those affected. In addition to his research, he has dedicated his career to understanding the causes and symptoms of STDs, as well as how to best treat those impacted.
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