What is the recommended initial antibiotic for a patient diagnosed with bacterial prostatitis?

Ciprofloxacin is the recommended initial antibiotic for bacterial prostatitis due to its effectiveness against the most common pathogens involved, such as Escherichia coli and other Enterobacteriaceae. This fluoroquinolone antibiotic has exceptional penetrative ability into prostatic tissue, which is crucial because the prostate gland can be difficult to treat due to its unique anatomy and blood supply.

For cases of acute prostatitis, ciprofloxacin not only achieves effective concentrations in the prostate but also covers potential resistant organisms, offering a broad spectrum of activity. Furthermore, its excellent oral bioavailability allows for outpatient management of non-severe cases when appropriate.

While other antibiotics listed may be effective for different urogenital infections, they lack the specific efficacy, tissue penetration, and comprehensive coverage that ciprofloxacin provides for bacterial prostatitis.