The 'reserve antibiotic' Ciprofloxacin has been prescribed more and more over the past twenty years. The use of the drug in Dutch hospitals can even be reduced by 50 percent to 70 percent. That is the opinion of microbiologist Babette van Hees after doctoral research for Utrecht University.
According to Van Hees, Ciprofloxacin actually intended as a backup and should only in exceptional cases may be administered. For example, Ciprofloxacin is often used directly for urinary tract infections , while officially other antibiotics must first be used for this. The reason for the 'quick' prescription of the drug by doctors, according to the microbiologist is the easy administration. It can be administered orally and thus works for a wide spectrum of conditions.
Four million Dutch people use at least one course of antibiotics every year >
Although in the Netherlands, compared to other European countries, relatively few antibiotics are prescribed becomes , according to Van Hees, it can be even less.
