Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Drug therapy for acute diverticulitis

April 5, 2015 | 25,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Until March 30, 2015, I was in the hospital for 5 days due to acute diverticulitis, which did not require surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed through blood tests, ultrasound, and CT scans. I now know the symptoms very well. I was discharged on March 30, but I was still not completely healthy at that time. In the hospital, I received therapy with Ciprofloxacin infusions for 5 days and Metronidazole for 2 days. For pain, I was given Novalgin, and for my stool, Movicol powder sachets.

Upon discharge, I was prescribed tablets for emergencies:
Ciprofloxacin AL 500 mg tablets, Metronidazole 400 mg 1-A-Pharma tablets. I read on the internet that oral therapy is just as effective as intravenous therapy. During the holidays, I am unable to reach any of my doctors who did not provide me with tablet dosages.

The abdominal pain has not stopped since my hospital discharge and has now worsened, so I would like to take the two mentioned medications. However, I do not know the dosage, and this is my question at this point. How should I take Ciprofloxacin AL 500 mg tablets and Metronidazole 400 mg tablets with a confirmed diagnosis of diverticulitis?

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good day,

If it is a simple diverticulitis, it should have subsided by now. The fact that you still have pain, which is even increasing, goes against a normal course. Under no circumstances should you try to treat yourself now! Please contact the hospital where you were operated on and have blood drawn and an ultrasound of the abdomen done.
Ciprofloxacin 2x1 and Metronidazole 400 3x1 are as effective orally as i.v., but they may not be enough if there is still a covered perforation.

All the best!

Sincerely, Dr. Höllering