1. Dosage
1.1. Adults
Maximum recommended adult daily doses for fluoroquinolones are summarized in Table 1. Prescribed dosages exceeding these recommendations will be reviewed.
| Drug Name | Dosage Form/Strength | Treatment Indication | Maximum Recommended Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ciprofloxacin (Cipro, generics) | immediate-release (IR)#: 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg tablets; 250 mg/5 mL, 500 mg/5 mL suspension | acute sinusitis | 500 mg twice daily |
| bone and joint infections | 750 mg twice daily | ||
| chronic bacterial prostatitis | 500 mg twice daily | ||
| complicated intra-abdominal infections (in combination with metronidazole) | 500 mg twice daily | ||
| complicated, uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections | 750 mg twice daily | ||
| infectious diarrhea | 500 mg twice daily | ||
| inhalational anthrax (post-exposure) | 500 mg twice daily | ||
| lower respiratory tract infections | 750 mg twice daily | ||
| moderate, complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) | 500 mg twice daily | ||
| plague | 1500 mg/day | ||
| typhoid fever | 500 mg twice daily | ||
| uncomplicated cervical, urethral gonococcal infections* | 250 mg as single dose | ||
| Uncomplicated UTI | 250 mg twice daily | ||
| levofloxacin (generics) | 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg tablets, 25 mg/mL solution | acute bacterial sinusitis | 750 mg once daily |
| acute pyelonephritis | 750 mg once daily | ||
| chronic bacterial prostatitis | 500 mg once daily | ||
| chronic bronchitis (acute bacterial exacerbation) | 500 mg once daily | ||
| complicated skin/skin structure infections | 750 mg once daily | ||
| inhalational anthrax | 500 mg once daily | ||
| mild/moderate complicated UTI | 750 mg once daily | ||
| nosocomial pneumonia | 750 mg/day | ||
| plague or plague prophylaxis | 500 mg once daily | ||
| uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections | 500 mg once daily | ||
| uncomplicated UTI | 250 mg once daily | ||
| moxifloxacin (Avelox, generics) | 400 mg tablets | acute bacterial sinusitis | 400 mg once/day |
| chronic bronchitis (acute bacterial exacerbation) | 400 mg once/day | ||
| CAP | 400 mg once/day | ||
| complicated intra-abdominal infections | 400 mg once/day | ||
| complicated skin/skin structure infections | 400 mg once/day | ||
| plague or plague prophylaxis | 400 mg once/day | ||
| uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections | 400 mg once/day | ||
| ofloxacin (generics) | 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg tablets | acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)^ | 400 mg twice daily |
| acute, uncomplicated urethral, cervical gonorrhea* | 400 mg as single dose | ||
| chronic bronchitis (acute bacterial exacerbation) | 400 mg twice daily | ||
| CAP | 400 mg twice daily | ||
| complicated UTI | 200 mg twice daily | ||
| mixed infection of urethra, cervix due to C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae* | 300 mg twice daily | ||
| nongonococcal cervicitis/urethritis due to Chlamydia trachomatis | 300 mg twice daily | ||
| prostatitis due to E. coli | 300 mg twice daily | ||
| uncomplicated cystitis due to E. coli or K. pneumoniae | 200 mg twice daily | ||
| uncomplicated cystitis due to other organisms | 200 mg twice daily | ||
| uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections | 400 mg twice daily |
Legend:
- # ciprofloxacin immediate-release and extended-release tablets are not interchangeable
- * CDC no longer recommends fluoroquinolones for treatment of infections due to N. gonorrhoeae
- ^ CDC no longer recommends fluoroquinolones for treating PID; levofloxacin or moxifloxacin may be considered in combination with metronidazole if parenteral therapy not feasible