HomeAnswersPharmacologydental abscessCan Ciprofloxacin be taken for a dental abscess?

A patient with a fresh knee replacement has taken pre-medication Amoxicillin 2g. What antibiotic can be given for her tooth abscess?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Vivek Chail

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At April 20, 2015
Reviewed AtFebruary 2, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have a patient with a fresh knee replacement, and of course takes premedication Amoxicillin 2g, one-hour pretreatment. She now has a tooth abscess, and I want to give her antibiotics. My thought is, since she has to always use Penicillin as a pre-medication, I would change the antibiotics.But she also has a colon resection, and Clindamycin probably would not be a good one to use. Can I give her Ciprofloxacin? Also, on her next appointment, should she go ahead and take the 2g of Amoxicillin as usual, or Ciprofloxacin or what can be used as a pre-medication? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.I have read through your query in detail. Please find my observations below.

  1. Amoxicillin is still a better antibiotic for a dental abscess as compared to other medicines. It is the first choice of medicine even for a dental abscess.
  2. It is better to continue with amoxycillin as a treatment option for her.
  3. Metronidazole or clindamycin is given only in case of severe infection.
  4. The order of preference of drugs for a dental abscess in a patient is Amoxicillin, Erythromycin or Clarithromycin or Clindamycin, and Metronidazole.
  5. Ciprofloxacin is usually not given at first.
  6. She can be given amoxicillin on her next appointment as well.

The above information is as per latest updates on pharmacological treatment of a dental abscess. Please keep in mind any allergy the patient might have to any of the medications and prescribe an alternative choice. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vivek Chail
Dr. Vivek Chail

General Practitioner

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