Shigella
Treatment of shigella
No antibiotic treatment for healthy people with mild disease
Consider antibiotic treatment for people with severe disease, immunocompromised or bloody diarrhoea. Initiate treatment only on the advice of a microbiologist.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin 500mg tablets
500mg every 12 hours for 1 day only. Continued for 5 days if organism is Shigella dysenteriae.
Ciprofloxacin 250mg/5ml oral suspension
500mg every 12 hours for 1 day only. Continued for 5 days if organism is Shigella dysenteriae.
Prescribing Notes:
- Antibiotic treatment is not recommended for healthy people with mild shigellosis. Consider antibiotic treatment for people: with severe disease, immunocompromised or bloody diarrhoea.
- If antibiotic treatment is indicated, seek advice from the local microbiologist regarding antibiotic management. Consider safety issues regarding ciprofloxacin and potentially long lasting side-effects prior to prescribing. Amoxicillin or trimethoprim can be used if organism is sensitive.
History Notes
14/03/2024
Prescribing information updated, ERFC March 2024
15/12/2021
East Region Formulary content agreed.