Intravenous antibiotic therapy for aspiration pneumonia in patients who are not improving on empirical therapy for HAP

To determine whether the below regimens are appropriate for a patient with aspiration pneumonia who has not improved on the empirical regimen for HAP, see Management of aspiration pneumonia in patients who are not improving on empirical therapy for CAP or HAP. If appropriate, add to the empirical regimen for HAP:

metronidazole 500 mg (child: 12.5 mg/kg up to 500 mg) intravenously, 12-hourly. See advice on modification and duration of therapy. metronidazole metronidazole metronidazole

Alternatively, if a single-drug regimen is preferred (eg to reduce toxicity or improve adherence), use:

amoxicillin+clavulanate intravenously; see advice on modification and duration of therapy amoxicillin + clavulanate amoxicillin+clavulanate amoxicillin+clavulanate

2+0.2 g formulation

adult, or child 40 kg or more: 2+0.2 g 8-hourly. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see amoxicillin+clavulanate intravenous dosage adjustment

OR

1+0.2 g formulation

adult, or child 40 kg or more: 1+0.2 g 6-hourly. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see amoxicillin+clavulanate intravenous dosage adjustment

child 1 month to younger than 3 months and less than 4 kg: 25+5 mg/kg 12-hourly

child 1 month to younger than 3 months and 4 kg or more: 25+5 mg/kg 8-hourly

child 3 months or older and less than 40 kg: 25+5 mg/kg up to 1+0.2 g 8-hourly.

For patients with penicillin hypersensitivity, as a single-drug regimen, use:

moxifloxacin 400 mg (child: 10 mg/kg up to 400 mg) intravenously, daily. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see moxifloxacin dosage adjustment. See advice on modification and duration of therapy1. moxifloxacin moxifloxacin moxifloxacin

1 Moxifloxacin is not licensed for use in children on the basis of animal studies that showed an adverse effect on cartilage development with quinolone use; however, clinical trial data suggest that adverse musculoskeletal events are usually mild and short term, similar to those observed in adults. Moxifloxacin can be used in children when it is the drug of choice.Return