Meningitis (bacterial)
- Give empiric IV antibiotics immediately
- Ceftriaxone/cefotaxime + vancomycin is common
- Add ampicillin when Listeria coverage is needed
- Dexamethasone before/with first antibiotic dose
- Do not delay antibiotics for difficult LP
- Narrow when organism/susceptibility known
- Manage ICP, seizures + isolation as needed
Use at a glance
- Give empiric IV antibiotics immediately
Treatment options
- Dexamethasone before/with first antibiotic dose
Practical pearls
- Ceftriaxone/cefotaxime + vancomycin is common
Choosing treatment
- Add ampicillin when Listeria coverage is needed
- Narrow when organism/susceptibility known
- Manage ICP, seizures + isolation as needed
Safety / pitfalls
- Do not delay antibiotics for difficult LP
Self-check
- Should empiric antibiotics be delayed for a difficult lumbar puncture in bacterial meningitis?
No.
- When should ampicillin be added to empiric bacterial meningitis therapy?
When Listeria coverage is needed.
- When should dexamethasone be given in bacterial meningitis?
Before or with the first antibiotic dose.
Drugs used for this (2)
All clinical uses · Open the interactive console ↗
