Meningitis Contact Prophylaxis 

Contact public health in suspected/ confirmed meningococcal infection.

Oral therapy (whenever possible)

Antibiotic Therapy (before prescribing, read the Notes / Comments section below)
Ciprofloxacin oral 500mg as a single dose
Notes / Comments

For further information see the Prophylaxis of Meningococcal Septicaemia and Meningitis guideline.

Ciprofloxacin:

  • Has an unpredictable effect on epilepsy but is preferred to rifampicin if the patient is on phenytoin.
  • Is the recommended option in pregnancy (unlicensed for this purpose).
  • See BNFc for children's doses.
  • QTc prolongation risk.

Guideline reviewed: March 2022

Page updated: November 2023