Kenzoflex (Ciprofloxacin)

Active Ingredient: Ciprofloxacin
Dosage: 500 mg
Route of Administration: Oral
Dosage Form: Capsules
Quantity per package: 12

Why is Kenzoflex (Ciprofloxacin) not used in the USA?

Kenzoflex is not commonly used in the USA because similar drugs with the same active ingredient, Ciprofloxacin, are available under different brand names. Regulatory and marketing factors might also influence the specific branding and availability of certain medications in the U.S. market.

What Similar to Kenzoflex Drugs Available in the USA?

Below are similar drugs available in the USA that contain Ciprofloxacin or are used to treat similar symptoms (UTIs), grouped by their pharmaceutical form and usage:

Oral Antibiotics for UTIs

Additional Antibiotics Effective Against UTIs

What is Kenzoflex?

Kenzoflex is applied as the treatment of kidney or bladder (urinary tract) infections. Ciprofloxacin, the main component, belongs to a group of drugs called quinolone antibiotics. Its main duty is to stop bacteria growth. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for virus infections (such as common cold, flu). Ciprofloxacin belongs to a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones and works by inhibiting bacterial DNA synthesis, thus preventing the bacteria from reproducing and repairing themselves.

Indications

Adults: Complicated and uncomplicated infections caused by pathogens sensitive to ciprofloxacin:

• kidneys and/or urinary tract;
• genital organs such as gonorrhea, adnexitis, and prostatitis.
• abdominal cavity (for example, bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract, bile ducts, and peritonitis);
• skin and soft tissues.
• bones and joints;
• eyes;
• septicemia;
• the airways caused by Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Haemophilus, Moraxella, Legionella, and Staphylococcus.
• otitis media and sinuses (sinusitis) especially when they are caused by gram-negative germs including Pseudomonas or Staphylococcus.

Children: Kenzoflex can be used as 2nd. and/or 3rd. line of treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis associated with Escherichia coli (age range: 1-17 years). Likewise, Kenzoflex can be used in the treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in patients aged 5 to 17 years.

Dosage and administration

Route of administration: Oral.

Dose: It is recommended to wash down an antibiotic with plenty of water. Like any other antibiotic, the dosage and duration of treatment will depend on the doctor’s evaluation.

It is recommended to continue the treatment at least 3 days after the symptoms’ disappearance.

Below we list the average duration of treatment:

• one dosage for uncomplicated acute gonorrhea and cystitis.
• up to 7 days in the kidney, urinary tract, and abdominal cavity infections.
• during the neutropenic phase, in patients with diminished defenses.
• 2 months maximum in osteomyelitis.
• 7 to 14 days in all other infections.
• in streptococcal and Chlamydia infections the treatment time should be at least 10 days.

Therapy for children, its average duration is:

• pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in pediatric patients (aged 5-17 years), the duration of treatment is 10-14 days.
• the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli, the duration of treatment is 10-21 days.
• in patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30-50 ml/min), the dosage intervals should be doubled or administered 250-500 mg every 18 hours (250-500 mg) every 24 hours, after dialysis.
• in geriatric patients, it is usually recommended to use the minimum dose or calculate the dose based on the patient’s creatinine clearance and the intensity of the infection.

Popularity and Use in Specific Countries

Kenzoflex is popular in several Latin American countries, including Mexico, where it is used widely due to its efficacy, affordability, and availability. The prevalence of urinary tract infections and the need for effective antibiotic treatments contribute to its popularity in these regions.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to rifamycin;
• Jaundice.

Side effects

• Allergic skin symptoms;
• Burning;
• Itching;
• Erythema, which appears with the drug interruption. It disappears with symptomatic treatment.

Overdose

In the case of acute overdose, reversible acute renal toxicity has been reported. Initially, antacids with Magnesium or Calcium can be administered to the patient to decrease ciprofloxacin absorption. It can induce vomiting, gastric lavage, and activated carbon. It is recommended to monitor renal function. Performing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis as an approach to eliminate the drug is not very effective since less than 10% of ciprofloxacin is eliminated in this case.

Interaction

The simultaneous administration of Kenzoflex and ferrum, sucralfate, food supplements, multivitamins or antacids, and highly buffering drugs (for example, antiretrovirals) containing Mg, Al or Ca reduce the absorption of Kenzoflex. Therefore Kenzoflex should be administered 1-2 hours before or at least 4 hours after these drugs. This does not relate to histamine H2 receptor blocker medications such as ranitidine or famotidine.

Concomitant administration of ciprofloxacin and dairy products or mineral-reinforced beverages (such as milk, yogurt or orange juice added with calcium) should be avoided, as it can reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin. However, calcium from the normal diet does not affect ciprofloxacin absorption. The concomitant administration of ciprofloxacin and omeprazole leads to a slight reduction in the Cmax and AUC of ciprofloxacin.

Metoclopramide accelerates the absorption of ciprofloxacin resulting in a reduced Tmax without affecting its bioavailability.

The simultaneous administration of ciprofloxacin as with other quinolones and theophylline may result in an undesirable increase in serum theophylline concentrations, increasing side reactions to it. In very rare cases, these effects can be life-threatening or even fatal. If the use of both products is inevitable, it will be necessary to adjust the dose of the latter.

Animal experiments have indicated that the combination of very high doses of quinolones with certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (except acetylsalicylic acid) can cause seizures.

A transient increase in serum creatinine concentration was observed when ciprofloxacin and cyclosporine were administered simultaneously. It is recommended to frequent monitor serum creatinine levels (twice a week) in these patients.

The simultaneous administration of warfarin and ciprofloxacin may potentiate the action of the anticoagulant.

In isolated cases, if ciprofloxacin is used simultaneously with glibenclamide, the action of the latter may be potentiated (hypoglycemia).

Co-administration of probenecid with ciprofloxacin may increase serum concentrations by interference with renal quinolone secretion.

The renal tubular transport of methotrexate can be inhibited by the concomitant administration of ciprofloxacin and may increase the plasma levels of methotrexate, which may increase the risk of toxic reactions due to it.