The correct ciprofloxacin dose depends on a number of variables, including the type and severity of the infection, patient age, weight, and history. A doctor can make a dose recommendation after examining a patient and taking a history. In some cases, the care provider may adjust the dose in the future to address concerns like a persistent infection that doesn't respond to treatment or biopsy results that indicate an infection may be more severe than was initially believed. Patients should always complete a course of ciprofloxacin unless specifically directed to do otherwise by a doctor.
This medication is an antibiotic with broad spectrum applications. It should only be used in infections a doctor has reasonable cause to believe are caused by bacteria, as it will not be effective for viruses and other microorganisms. Doctors have concerns about the development of antibiotic resistance, especially to drugs like ciprofloxacin which can be highly effective against a range of organisms, and thus want to avoid unnecessary uses.
Solutions for intravenous administration and oral tablets are available. Intravenous doses may be lower because of the direct method of delivery, although if a patient has an infection severe enough to require intravenous medication, the doctor may prefer a high dose to rapidly kill bacteria. Several sizes are available to allow doctors to control the ciprofloxacin dose.
For mild and moderate infections, the adult ciprofloxacin dose typically starts at 500 milligrams once to twice a day, repeated for seven to ten days. Doctors may start with a lower dose for urinary tract infections. In some cases, patients may receive a single very large dose, like a gram of medication, to knock out an infection. This may be advised in cases where a doctor has concerns about the patient's ability to adhere to a multi-day regimen, or when it appears to be effective in the management of a given infection.
Patient age is a consideration for a ciprofloxacin dose, as very young and elderly patients may be more at risk of side effects. For pediatric and veterinary patients, weight is particularly important, as the medication can become very concentrated in small bodies. These patients may need to be carefully weighed so the doctor can calculate an appropriate dose based on body weight.
Another issue is patient history. A high ciprofloxacin dose may not be appropriate for patients with certain conditions. If there is any history of allergic reactions, or a patient has another contraindication like a medication conflict or preexisting condition, it may be necessary to recommend a different medication.