Enhanced elimination of ciprofloxacin after multiple-dose administration of rifampin to rabbits

The combination of ciprofloxacin and rifampin is potentially useful for the treatment of selected infections. However, rifampin may induce the metabolism of ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin was given in single doses to healthy rabbits before and after six daily doses of intramuscular rifampin. Total clearance of ciprofloxacin increased from 0.96 +/- 0.32 (standard deviation) to 1.57 +/- 0.63 liters/h per kg (P less than 0.05). This change in elimination is potentially significant for the outcome of experimental infections in rabbits.