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 a difficult lumbar puncture delay bacterial meningitis antibiotics?
No. - When is ampicillin added to empiric bacterial meningitis therapy?
When Listeria coverage is needed. - When is dexamethasone given for bacterial meningitis?
Before or with the first antibiotic dose.
Drugs used for this (2)
All clinical uses · Open Meningitis (bacterial) in the interactive console ↗