Antibiotics I would recommend are

1. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) 500mg twice a day for infectious (bacterial) diarrhea, anthrax prophylaxis (x60
days), uncomplicated UTI, gonorrhea (also treat with doxycycline for likely co-infection with
chlamydia), complicated abdominal infections (with metronidazole), bone and joint infections, soft
tissue and skin infections, acute sinusitis, prostatitis
1-2 tabs, 1 / day, single dose for gonorrhea (N. gonorrhea resistant in Hawaii and
California)
Walmart price: $4/20

Given the incidence of certain bacteria that are resistant to ciprofloxacin, it is also wise now to also carry
azithromycin (see #3).

2. Ampicillin (inexpensive) 500 mg 4 times a day x 7 days, $ or amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) 875

mg twice a day (Augmentin, very $$$, average price $84/20. No, I don’t know why it’s so expensive)
for sinus infection, skin infection, or ear infection.
a. Most ear infections are viral, abx won’t do anything, treat symptoms only for 2-3 days and if
no improvement take abx.

Ampicillin
• Streptococcal infections (Group A streptococcal pharyngitis, Group B streptococci)
• Otitis media (Haemophilus influenzae due to beta-lactamase negative strains)
• Diverticulitis (in combination with metronidazole)
• Gonorrhea (in combination with probenecid, however currently not recommended due to high
failure rate)
• Enteric infections (Proteus mirabilis infections, salmonellosis, shigellosis)
• Urinary tract infections
• Bacterial vaginosis
Augmentin
Animal (especially cat) bites, cellulitis, soft tissue infections

1. Azithromycin 250mg. (Zithromax) Comes in packs of 6 for 5 days dosage, take 2 the first day, then 1
a day ‘til gone. For bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia, or serious throat infection. Average
price: $18/6-pack

2. 4. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra-DS) 160/800mg (double strength) twice a day, 7-10 days

or doxycycline 100 mg twice a day, for 7 days for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
infection (skin infections), acute exacerbation of bronchitis, otitis media not responding to other abx
Walmart price: (SMX/TMP DS) $4/20.

Doxycycline is also a chloroquine-resistant malaria prophylaxis, take 1 daily starting 2 days before
travel until 4 weeks (28 days) after return from endemic area. Walmart price: $4/20

3. Metronidazole (Flagyl) 500mg 4 times a day for 7-14 days effective against Giardia lamblia; for
dental infections, trichomoniasis, intra-abdominal infections; skin and skin structure infections; bone
and joint infections, Lower respiratory tract infections (in combination with another agent with activity
against microaerophilic Streptococcus), Adjunct treatment for gastritis and duodenal ulcer associated
with Helicobacter pylori.
Walmart price: $4/14