Meningitis medical therapy
|
Meningitis Main Page |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
Medical Therapy
Empiric Treatment
- Shown below is a table summarizing the preferred and alternative empiric treatment for meningitis.
| Characteristics of the Patient | Possible Pathogens | Preferred Treatment | Duration of Treatment | Alternative Treatment |
| Immunocompentent patient
Age<50 |
Streptococcus pneumonia
Nisseria meningitis Hemophilus influenzae |
Vancomycin
Loading dose:25-35 mg/kg, then 15-20 mg/kg Q8-12H Trough concentration: 20mcg/mL + Ceftriaxone 2 g IV Q12H |
Stop or adjust treatment choice and duration when the results of the lumbar puncture are out | In case of penicillin allergy:
Chloramphenicol + Vancomycin |
| Immunocompentent patient
Age>50 |
||||
| Immunocompromised patient | ||||
| Patient with history of penetrating head trauma or neurosurgery | ||||
| Shunt infection |