treatment of staphylococcal pneumonia

Last reviewed 01/2018

Antibiotic treatment should be started after blood and sputum has been taken for culture. Initial therapy is often blind.

Consult with a bacteriologist about appropriate drug treatment if in doubt:

• penicillin-sensitive
• first choice: benzylpenicillin
• alternative: erythromycin

• penicillinase producing
• first choice: flucloxacillin
• alternative: dependent on local sensitivities

Treatment for staphylococcal pneumonia may be with flucloxacillin 250 mg 4 times daily by mouth or IV until improvement. In severe infections, doses may be doubled.