Skip to main content

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Although antibiotic prophylaxis - administration of antibiotics when an infection is not present but is anticipated - should always by used judiciously due to the potential for the emergence of multimicrobial resistance.

Abbreviations:
IM = intramuscular
IV = intravenous

Caution: Cephalosporins should not be administered to patients with a history of anaphylaxis, angioedema or urticaria caused by penicillin or ampicillin.

Adult Regimen:#

SituationAgentAdult Regimen
(one dose 30-60 min. before procedure)
Standard general prophylaxisamoxicillin2 g orally
Unable to take oral medicationampicillin, or2 g IM or IV
cefazolin or ceftriaxone1 g IM or IV
Allergic to penicillinclindamycin, or 600 mg orally
cephalexin, or2 g orally
azithromycin or clarithromycin500 mg orally
Allergic to penicillin or ampicillin
and unable to take oral medication		clindamycin, or600 mg IM or IV
cefazolin or ceftriaxone1 g IM or IV

Pedriatic Regimen#

SituationAgentPediatric Regimen
(one dose 30-60 min. before procedure)
Standard general prophylaxisamoxicillin50 mg/kg orally
Unable to take oral medicationampicillin, or50 mg IM or IV
cefazolin or ceftriaxone50 mg IM or IV
Allergic to penicillinclindamycin, or 20 mg/kg orally
cephalexin, or50 mg/kg orally
azithromycin or clarithromycin15 mg/kg orally
Allergic to penicillin or ampicillin
and unable to take oral medication		clindamycin, or20 mg/kg IM or IV
cefazolin or ceftriaxone50 mg/kg IM or IV

Prescription for antibiotic prophylaxis. 4 visits:#

Patients with no penicillin or amoxicillin allergies
Date: 1/1/11
Name: John Doe DOB: 1/1/50
Address: 123 Main Street, Pleasantville, PA
Amoxicillin 500 mg tab.
Disp. 16 tabs.
Sig. 4 tabs. po, 30-60 min. prior to dental appointment
Patients with penicillin or amoxicillin allergies
Date: 1/1/11
Name: John Doe DOB: 1/1/50
Address: 123 Main Street, Pleasantville, PA
Clindamycin 300 mg tab.
Disp. 8 tabs.
Sig. 2 tabs. po, 30-60 min. prior to dental appointment

References/Websites#