Figure 5
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This is the official hospital's pharmacy and therapeutic committee's restriction document for the antimicrobial, ciprofloxacin.

Ciprofloxacin (Intravenous)

Advantages: same as aztreonam.

Why restricted:

  1. cost: $24/400 mg, cf. PO cipro $2-4/dose, ceftazidime $11/gm
  2. limited "track record" cf. alternative (unrestricted) agents
  3. avoid induction of resistance among nosocomial organisms

Settings where use might be considered:

  1. see "aztreonam".
  2. (N.B. - few data available in neutropenic patients)

Caution:

  1. marginal activity vs. gram-positives, none vs. anaerobes.
  2. resistance may emerge during therapy vs. P. aeruginosa.
  3. should not be used for monotherapy of serious pseudomonal infections, particularly in neutropenic hosts.
  4. IV form much more expensive than PO, and PO nearly 100% absorbed: use PO where possible.