title: The loss of antibiotic activity of ciprofloxacin by photodegradation.
abstract: Solutions of ciprofloxacin were irradiated with different wavebands of ultraviolet and visible radiation and the antibiotic activity of the drug was determined against Escherichia coli. A wavelength dependent loss of antibiotic activity was found with maximal effect around 320 nm; no effect occurred with visible irradiation. The degree of the decrease in activity with longer wavelength ultraviolet (UVA) radiation was sufficient to indicate that human exposure to sunlight through window glass (greater than 320 nm) or UVA from tanning sunbeds may result in a significant reduction in both cutaneous and circulating levels of ciprofloxacin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D008027:Light; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010777:Photochemistry; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D002939:Ciprofloxacin