Key takeaways
Cefditoren (Spectracef) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, but they belong to different medication classes. Cefditoren is a cephalosporin antibiotic, while ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Cefditoren was used to treat infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, and tonsillitis, but it is no longer available in the U.S. Ciprofloxacin, on the other hand, is still available and treats a wider range of infections, including sinus infections, UTIs, and more serious conditions like anthrax and plague. Ciprofloxacin is taken orally, typically twice a day, and is available in both pill and liquid forms. It can cause serious side effects like tendon rupture and nerve damage, so it's usually reserved for more severe infections. Common side effects include nausea and diarrhea. Unlike cefditoren, ciprofloxacin interacts with many medications and requires careful management to avoid complications.
