A Comparative Study of Oral Vs Intravenous Ciprofloxacin in Cellulitis Treatment at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection, often necessitates prompt antibiotic treatment. Ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone available in both oral and intravenous (IV) forms, offers flexibility in therapy, though the comparative effectiveness and safety of these routes in cellulitis management remain underexplored. This prospective study, conducted at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chidambaram, aimed to compare the clinical efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of oral versus IV ciprofloxacin in cellulitis treatment. Patients diagnosed with cellulitis received either oral or IV ciprofloxacin, with data collected on demographics, clinical features, treatment duration, time to clinical improvement, hospital stay, adverse events, and treatment outcomes. Results showed that both forms were similarly effective in resolving cellulitis, with no significant differences in clinical improvement or recurrence rates. However, the oral group experienced shorter hospital stays and lower treatment costs, with a low and comparable incidence of adverse effects in both groups. The study concludes that oral ciprofloxacin is as effective and safe as IV administration in selected patients, making it a cost- efficient and convenient first-line treatment option for cellulitis.