Meningitis medical therapy

Meningitis Main Page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Viral Meningitis Bacterial Meningitis Fungal Meningitis
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Treatment

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Medical Therapy

Empiric Treatment

Shown below is a table summarizing the preferred and alternative empiric treatment for meningitis.

Characteristics of the Patient	Possible Pathogens	Preferred Treatment	Duration of Treatment	Alternative Treatment
Immunocompentent patient Age<50	Streptococcus pneumonia Nisseria meningitis Hemophilus influenzae	Vancomycin Loading dose:25-35 mg/kg, then 15-20 mg/kg Q8-12H Trough concentration: 20mcg/mL + Ceftriaxone 2 g IV Q12H	Stop or adjust treatment choice and duration when the results of the lumbar puncture are out	In case of penicillin allergy: Chloramphenicol + Vancomycin
Immunocompentent patient Age>50
Immunocompromised patient
Patient with history of penetrating head trauma or neurosurgery
Shunt infection

References

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