Cipro Dosage

The right dosage of Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) is crucial to the success of this medication and may depend on a number of factors including age and the type of infection it is prescribed for.   Cipro maybe prescribed to treat a number of illnesses including urinary tract (UTI), upper respiratory and bacterial infections.

Children

When prescribing this medication for children, pediatricians usually base the Cipro dosage on the child’s body weight. Most of the time, doctors prescribe around 6.8 mg per pound to be taken twice a day.

An exception is whenever this antibiotic is administered intravenously. In that instance, doctors typically suggest only 4.5 mg per pound of body weight be given. Intravenous doses are also administered twice a day, but this method is typically used only when the child’s infection is severe enough to require hospitalization.

Adults

Adults are normally given a much higher dosage of Cipro than children are. In most instances, doctors will prescribe an amount based on the severity of the infection when treating adult patients. Those who have only a mild infection generally receive around 250 mg every 12 hours.  Patients with more complicated infections are normally prescribed 500 mg of Ciprofloxacin two times daily. Treatment can continue anywhere from three to 14 days depending on the severity of the infection.

Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens are more likely to experience side effects such as diarrhea or bowel irritation when taking Cipro.  This can result in dehydration, especially if the patient does not eat or drink properly. Those who are over 65 years of age should speak to their physician about any recent surgeries or illnesses before taking this medication. That way, the doctor can determine whether to prescribe a lower Cipro dosage or suggest another drug that is less likely to cause these side effects.

How it is Taken

• Cipro is typically taken orally in tablet or liquid form.
• All of the dose should be taken at one time, so parents may want to use a syringe when administering this medication to children.
• It can be taken with water or milk, but those who experience stomach upset may need to take it with food.

For best results, Cipro should be taken once in the morning and once in the evening and at approximately the same times each day. That way, the amount of medication in the bloodstream will remain fairly constant, which helps the drug maximize its effectiveness.

Withdrawal

There are normally no adverse reactions to Ciprofloxacin withdrawal. Most patients simply stop taking it when they have used all their prescription without having to be weaned off it. Many people report feeling better after taking their prescribed Cipro dosage for only a few days; however, this does not mean they should stop taking the medication altogether. Finishing all of this drug can help ensure no remnants of bacteria are left behind that could mutate and become resistant to antibiotics in the future.

Cipro is generally a safe and effective antibiotic that has been used for some time. Part of the drug’s effectiveness depends on a patient taking the right dose, so a doctor’s advice should be followed precisely.