Intravenous to oral switch for MRSA pneumonia

For patients with MRSA pneumonia and bacteraemia, see Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, including sepsis and septic shock for ongoing management.

If bacteraemia has been excluded, consider switching to oral therapy once the patient improves (for guidance on when to switch to oral therapy, see Guidance for intravenous to oral switch).

The choice of oral therapy depends on disease severity and susceptibility results – seek expert advice. Oral therapy options for uncomplicated MRSA pneumonia (absence of bacteraemia, metastatic spread, endocarditis, lung abscess or empyema) include linezolid or rifampicin plus fusidate sodium. If the isolate is susceptible (eg some community-associated MRSA strains), clindamycin or trimethoprim+sulfamethoxazole may be suitable.