Ciprofloxacin is one of the most self-prescribed antibiotics in Nigeria. People buy it for typhoid fever, urinary tract infections, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, and many other infections, often without a doctor's prescription.
Because it is so widely bought and so trusted, it is also heavily counterfeited.
In 2025, NAFDAC confirmed the sale of falsified CIPROFIT 500, a popular brand of Ciprofloxacin in Nigerian markets.
This article will tell you exactly what to look for, what the valid NAFDAC numbers are, and how to verify your Ciprofloxacin before you take it.
What Is Ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including:
Typhoid fever and Salmonella infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Gonorrhoea and some other sexually transmitted infections
Diarrhoea caused by bacterial infections
Chest and respiratory infections
Bone and joint infections
It comes in 250mg and 500mg tablet strengths and is available under many brand names in Nigeria.
What NAFDAC Found About Fake Ciprofloxacin
NAFDAC confirmed the circulation of falsified CIPROFIT 500 tablets in Nigerian markets. CIPROFIT is a brand name for ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablets.
The falsified version was found to be in circulation, and NAFDAC directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove the products from circulation.
If you have recently purchased CIPROFIT 500 tablets, verify the NAFDAC number on your pack immediately.
Registered NAFDAC Numbers for Ciprofloxacin Brands in Nigeria
Multiple brands of Ciprofloxacin 500mg are registered with NAFDAC. Some of the well-known registered brands include:
Cipro 500
(Bayer)
Ciprotab
(various manufacturers)
M&B Ciprofloxacin 500mg
registered NAFDAC number 04-8805
CIPROFIT 500
— verify the specific batch on VerifyProduct.ng
For every brand, search the NAFDAC number printed on your pack at VerifyProduct.ng to confirm it is registered and matches the product you are holding.
How to Verify Your Ciprofloxacin
Step 1: Find the NAFDAC number
Look at the outer packaging, the blister pack label, or the bottle label. Every registered Ciprofloxacin product in Nigeria must have a NAFDAC registration number.
Step 2: Check the format
Pharmaceutical NAFDAC numbers begin with prefixes like 04, A4, B4, or A11 followed by a hyphen and a number. If your Ciprofloxacin pack has a number that does not match this format, be suspicious.
Step 3: Search on VerifyProduct.ng
Go to VerifyProduct.ng and enter the number. Confirm that the result matches the brand name and manufacturer on your pack exactly.
Step 4: SMS verification
If the pack has a scratch and verify code, scratch it and text the code to 38353 via any Nigerian network to verify through NAFDAC's Mobile Authentication Service.
Warning Signs of Fake Ciprofloxacin
Watch out for:
No NAFDAC number on the packaging
A NAFDAC number that does not appear on VerifyProduct.ng
Tablets that are unevenly shaped, have different shades, or crumble when pressed
Packaging with faded printing, spelling errors, or a blurry manufacturer address
No batch number or expiry date on the pack
An unusually low price. Genuine Ciprofloxacin 500mg typically costs between ₦500 and ₦1,500 for a pack of 10 tablets depending on the brand
The Risk of Taking Fake Ciprofloxacin
If you take fake Ciprofloxacin for typhoid or a serious bacterial infection, two things can happen:
First, the infection goes untreated. Your symptoms may appear to improve briefly, but the bacteria survive and multiply.
Second, antibiotic resistance develops. Bacteria exposed to insufficient doses of antibiotics learn to resist them, making future infections much harder to treat.
For typhoid fever specifically, which is common in Nigeria and can be fatal if untreated taking a fake antibiotic can mean the difference between recovery and a life-threatening complication.
Where to Buy Ciprofloxacin Safely
Buy only from licensed pharmacies with a PCN (Pharmacists Council of Nigeria) licence displayed
Ask the pharmacist to verify the NAFDAC number with you before you pay
Avoid buying from open drug markets such as Onitsha Main Market, Aba or street vendors; these have the highest concentration of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria
What to Do If Your Ciprofloxacin Is Fake
Stop using it immediately
Do not throw it away; keep it as evidence
Report the seller on VerifyProduct.ng or call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322
Visit a licensed pharmacy for a verified replacement
The Bottom Line
Ciprofloxacin is one of Nigeria's most important antibiotics. It treats infections that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Taking a fake version is not just ineffective — it is dangerous.
Before you take any Ciprofloxacin, check the NAFDAC number on your pack at VerifyProduct.ng.
It takes one minute, and it could protect your health.