Diverticulitis is a disease in which small pouches in the lining of the colon that bulge outward, known as diverticulum, become inflamed, infected or rupture. This results in an infection of the surrounding tissues. Diverticulitis can also cause rectal bleeding, abscess and intestinal obstruction. The most common symptom of diverticulitis is sudden abdominal pain especially in the lower left side of the abdomen as well as vomiting and nausea. Antibiotics such as metronidazole, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin are prescribed for the treatment of diverticulitis.
Metronidazole
Metronidazole is an antibiotic drug prescribed for the treatment of diverticulitis due to its toxic activity towards facilitative, anaerobic bacteria. When a diverticulum becomes inflamed or ruptures, these anaerobic bacteria are released into the surrounding tissues where they further spread the infection. Metronidazole has bacteriostatic activity against these anaerobic bacterial organisms, inhibiting the ability of the bacterial to synthesize essential proteins thereby causing death. According to the Merck Manuals, diverticulitis infections that are not severe can be treated with metronidazole, four times daily for a period of two weeks. Side effects commonly associated with metronidazole include dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic commonly prescribed for abdominal infections including diverticulitis. Since ciprofloxacin is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, is often prescribed when a patient is unresponsive to other antibiotics or allergic to penicillinase antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin has bactericidal effects on bacterial organisms by inhibiting the ability of the bacterial cells to replicate its genetic material and proteins essential for its generative ability. By inhibiting the enzyme gyrase, the bacterial cells are unable to replicate its DNA and consequently die. According to the Library of the National Medical Society, a 500 mg dosage of ciprofloxacin is commonly prescribed for diverticulitus twice daily for a duration of seven to 10 days. Ciprofloxacin is often prescribed in addition to metronidazole.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is a combination of two antibiotics commonly prescribed for the treatment of diverticulitis. This antibiotic combination has bacteriostatic properties, blocking the synthesis of folic acid, an essential chemical for the biosynthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. By inhibiting the ability of the bacterial organisms to produce nucleic acids and proteins essential for its reproduction, the bacterial cells are forced to die. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, a 160/180 mg dosage of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is prescribed twice daily for the treatment of diverticulitus.
