In addition to reducing treatment costs and allowing earlier discharge from the hospital, early conversion to oral antimicrobial therapy increases patient comfort and mobility and minimizes the risk of adverse events associated with iv therapy (phlebitis, fluid overload, infections, etc.). Eligible patients should meet three main criteria:

1. Patient has a functional GI tract and tolerates oral nutrition and medications. Patients with severe diarrhea, protracted vomiting (or continuous nasogastric suction), ileus, or malabsorption syndrome should be excluded from immediate consideration for oral therapy.
2. Signs and symptoms (e.g., fever) related to the infection have resolved or are improving.
3. Patient is not febrile neutropenic.

The following table provides representative examples. Doses will vary according to the patient condition and the clinical setting.

Intravenous Regimen	Oral Equivalent
Acyclovir 400 mg q8h	Acyclovir 800 mg 5 x per day
Ampicillin 1 g q6h	Amoxicillin 500 mg q8h
Cefazolin 1 g q8h	Cephalexin 500 mg q6h
Cefotetan 1 or 2 g q12h	Cefuroxime 250 - 500 mg q12h
Ciprofloxacin 400 mg q12h	Ciprofloxacin 500 or 750 mg q12h
Ofloxacin 400 mg q12h	Ofloxacin 400 mg q12h
Clindamycin 300 - 600 mg q8h	Clindamycin 300 or 450 mg q6h
Co-trimox (80/16 mg/mL) 10-20 mL q12h	Co-trimox DS (800/160) 1-2 tabs q12h
Erythromycin 500 - 1000 mg q6h	Erythromycin 500 mg q6h
Fluconazole 100 mg q24h	Fluconazole 100 mg q24h
Gentamicin or Tobramycin	Co-trimox DS (800/160) 1-2 tabs q12h or ofloxacin 400 mg q12h
Metronidazole 500 mg q8h	Metronidazole 500 mg q8h
Nafcillin 500 or 1000 mg q6h	Dicloxacillin 500 mg q6h
Unasyn 1.5 or 3 g q6h	Augmentin 500 mg q8h or 875 mg q12h