Acyclovir vs Ciprofloxacin: side-by-side comparison
Acyclovir (Nucleoside antiviral) and Ciprofloxacin (Fluoroquinolone antibiotic) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Acyclovir | Ciprofloxacin |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Nucleoside antiviral | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic |
| CAS | 59277-89-3 | 85721-33-1 |
| ATC | J05AB01 | J01MA02 |
| Molecular weight | 225.21 g/mol | 331.34 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Acyclovir and Ciprofloxacin share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Acyclovir acts by a different mechanism than Ciprofloxacin, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Acyclovir: L'aciclovir est un analogue de la guanosine phosphorylé sélectivement par la thymidine kinase virale en monophosphate, puis par les kinases cellulaires en aciclovir triphosphate. Ciprofloxacin: La ciprofloxacine inhibe l'ADN gyrase bactérienne (topo-isomérase II) et la topo-isomérase IV, enzymes indispensables à la réplication, à la transcription et à la réparation de l'ADN.
Indications compared
Acyclovir: L'aciclovir est autorisé chez l'adulte et l'enfant dans le traitement des infections à herpès simplex, dont l'herpès génital (épisodes initiaux et récurrents), le traitement suppressif de l'herpès génital récidivant, l'h… Ciprofloxacin: La ciprofloxacine est autorisée chez l'adulte dans le traitement des infections urinaires compliquées, de la pyélonéphrite aiguë, de la prostatite, des infections digestives dont la diarrhée du voyageur, de certaines inf…
Safety profile
Acyclovir: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent nausées, céphalées, vertiges et éruptions cutanées. Ciprofloxacin: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent troubles digestifs, céphalées, vertiges et éruptions cutanées.
Questions fréquentes
Is Acyclovir better than Ciprofloxacin? ▾
Acyclovir and Ciprofloxacin are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Acyclovir and Ciprofloxacin be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Acyclovir
Products with Ciprofloxacin
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.