Antimicrobial Medicines

The list of antimicrobial medicines, below, excludes antiretroviral medicines. 

It is important to refer to the text of the standard treatment guidelines for detailed information of specific medicines for specific indications (i.e. duration of therapy, if used in combination with other antibiotics, prescriber level, etc.).

ACICLOVIR

Atopic eczema/dermatitis, eczema herpeticum (if patient is unable to swallow due to odynophagia):

•  Aciclovir, IV, 5 mg/kg 8 hourly for 7 days.

Varicella (chickenpox), complicated, Zoster (Shingles – with secondary  dissemination or neurological involvement), Viral meningoencephalitis:

• Aciclovir, IV, 10 mg/kg 8 hourly.

Keratitis, herpes simplex: 

• Aciclovir, ophthalmic ointment 3%, applied into lower conjunctival sac, five times daily.

Varicella (chickenpox), complicated,  Zoster (Shingles), Herpes zoster ophthalmicus:

• Aciclovir, oral, 800 mg five times a day or 4 hourly while awake.

Atopic eczema/dermatitis, eczema herpeticum, Keratitis, Genital ulcer syndrome (GUS):

• Aciclovir, oral, 400 mg 8 hourly for 7 days or five times a day for 10-14 days or 12 hourly.

AMIKACIN

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), Urinary tract infections, catheter associated, Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs - drug-induced liver injury:

• Amikacin, IV, 15 mg/kg daily.

AMOXICILLIN

Preterm Labour (PTL) AND Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes (PPROM), Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):

• Amoxicillin, oral, 500 mg 8 hourly for 5 days.

Peptic ulcer, H. pylori +ve: 

• Amoxicillin, oral, 1 g 12 hourly for 7 days.

Endocarditis, infective, prophylaxis:

• Amoxicillin, oral, 2 g one hour before dental procedure.

Pneumonia, community acquired (uncomplicated), Otitis media, acute:

• Amoxicillin, oral, 1 g 8 hourly.

AMOXICILLIN/CLAVULANIC ACID

Diverticulosis, Liver Abscess, pyogenic, Acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis, Bacterial peritonitis,  Leg ulcers, complicated, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Septic miscarriage, Postpartum Fever, Urinary tract infection in pregnancy: acute pyelonephritis, Diabetic neuropathies, Bronchiectasis,  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Lung abscess, Pneumonia, community acquired, Pneumonia, aspiration, Empyema, Epiglottitis, Otitis media, acute, Abscess, Peritonsillar, Snakebites: secondary infection

• Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 875/125 mg, oral, 12 hourly.

Acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis, Diverticulosis: cannot take oral medicines, Pancreatitis acute: abscess of the pancreas, Liver Abscess, pyogenic, Bacterial peritonitis, Septic miscarriage, Postpartum Fever,  Diabetic foot ulcers: severe infection,  Lung abscess,  Pneumonia, aspiration, Empyema,  Abscess, Peritonsillar

• Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, IV, 1.2 g 8 hourly.

AMPHOTERICIN B

Intravascular catheter infections, candidaemia:

•  Amphotericin B, IV, 0.7 mg/kg daily. 

Febrile neutropenia, Symptomatic, non-meningeal Cryptococcosis Cryptococcal meningitis:, Cryptococcal meningitis, HIV-uninfected:

• Amphotericin B, slow IV infusion, 1 mg/kg daily.

AMPICILLIN

Pneumonia, community acquired:

• Ampicillin, IV, 1 g 6 hourly.

Endocarditis, infective, prophylaxis, if patient cannot take oral medicines:

•  Ampicillin, IV/IM, 2 g one hour before dental procedure.

Meningitis: Listeria monocytogenes meningitis:

• Ampicillin, IV, 3 g 6 hourly for 21 days.

AZITHROMYCIN

Rheumatic heart disease, prophylaxis of recurrent disease, severe penicillin allergy:  

• Azithromycin, oral, 250 mg daily.

Antibiotic prophylaxis:

• Azithromycin, 500 mg, IV, as a single dose.

Pneumonia, community acquired (severe pneumonia):

• Azithromycin, 500 mg, slow IV (over not less than 60 minutes) daily for 3 days.

Peptic ulcer, severe penicillin allergy, Rheumatic heart disease, acute rheumatic fever - severe penicillin allergy,  Cellulitis and erysipelas – severe penicillin allergy, Impetigo - severe penicillin allergy, Preterm Labour (PTL) AND Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) - severe penicillin allergy, Mycobacteriosis - disseminated non tuberculous, Bronchiectasis - severe penicillin allergy, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe penicillin allergy, Epiglottitis, severe penicillin allergy, Otitis media, acute - severe penicillin allergy:

• Azithromycin, oral, 500 mg daily for 3 days.

Tick bite fever, in pregnancy:

• Azithromycin, oral, 500 mg 12 hourly for 3 days.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - stage I, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), stage II-IV: chlamydia (also for severe penicillin allergy), Sexual Assault (STI prophylaxis), Prostatitis (acute bacterial prostatitis), Arthritis, Septic and osteomyelitis, acute, Arthritis, reactive,  Non occupational post exposure prophylaxis, sexual assault and inadvertent exposure:

• Azithromycin, oral, 1 g as a single dose.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)-stage I, severe penicillin allergy, Non occupational post exposure prophylaxis, sexual assault, Male urethritis syndrome (MUS), Vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS):

• Azithromycin, oral, 2 g as a single dose.

BENZATHINE BENZYLPENICILLIN

Rheumatic heart disease, prophylaxis:

• Benzathine benzylpenicillin (depot formulation), IM, 1.2 mu every 3–4 weeks.

Rheumatic heart disease, acute rheumatic fever:

• Benzathine benzylpenicillin (depot formulation), IM, 1.2 mu as a single dose.

Syphilis, asymptomatic well baby: 

• Benzathine benzylpenicillin (depot formulation), IM, 50 000 units/kg as a single dose into the antero-lateral thigh. 

Genital ulcer syndrome (GUS):

• Benzathine benzylpenicillin (depot formulation), IM, 2.4 mu immediately as a single dose.

Syphilis, mother:

• Benzathine benzylpenicillin (depot formulation), IM, 2.4 mu weekly for 3 doses.

BENZYL PENICILLIN

Syphilis, symptomatic baby:

• Benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G), IV, 50 000 units/kg, 12 hourly for 10 days.

Abscess, peritonsillar:

• Benzylpenicillin (penicillin G), IV, 2 million units 6 hourly.

Tetanus:

• Benzylpenicillin (penicillin G), IV, 5 MU 6 hourly for 10 days.

Endocarditis, infective empiric therapy and directed therapy for native valve:

• Benzylpenicillin (penicillin G), IV, 5 MU 6 hourly for 4 weeks.

Meningitis (meningococcal meningitis – confirmed meningococcal disease only), Meningitis (pneumococcal meningitis): 

• Benzylpenicillin (penicillin G), IV, 20 - 24 MU daily in 4–6 divided doses for 10 days.

Meningovascular Syphillis:

• Benzylpenicillin (penicillin G), IV, 20 MU daily in 4–6 divided doses for 10 days.

CEFALEXIN

Cellulitis and erysipelas:

• Cefalexin, oral, 500 mg 6 hourly for 5 days.

CEFAZOLIN

Cardiac surgery, Endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures, Gastrointestinal surgery, General surgery, Neurosurgery , Obstetrics/ gynaecology surgery, Orthopaedic surgery , Otorhinolaryngology/ Head and neck surgery: severe beta lactam allergy, Plastic and reconstructive surgery, Thoracic surgery, Urology, Vascular surgery:

• Cefazolin, IV, 1-3 g as a single dose.

Cellulitis and erysipelas, Furuncles and abscesses, Surgical wound infections

• Cefazolin, IV, 1 g 8 hourly.

Endocarditis, infective – empiric therapy and directed therapy for native valve, Arthritis, Septic and osteomyelitis, acute:

• Cefazolin, IV, 2 g 8 hourly.

CEFEPIME

Febrile neutropenia, Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP):

• Cefepime, IV, 2 g 12 hourly

CEFTAZIDIME

Endophthalmitis, bacterial (endogenous endophthalmitis and post-surgical endophthalmitis):

• Ceftazidime, intravitreal, 2.25 mg.

CEFTRIAXONE

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), stage 1, Sexual assault, Prostatitis, associated urethritis, Non occupational post exposure prophylaxis, sexual assault and inadvertent exposure, Arthritis, reactive,  

• Ceftriaxone, IM, 250 mg as a single dose.

Acute inflammatory diarrhoea (dysentery), Bacterial peritonitis,  Epiglottitis, Febrile neutropenia,  Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) stage II-IV, Pyelonephritis, acute, Urinary tract infection (UTI),  Acute pyelonephritis: impaired renal function, Arthritis, septic and osteomyelitis, acute, Epiglottitis, Male urethritis syndrome (MUS), Vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS):

• Ceftriaxone, IV, 1 g, daily.

Typhoid fever (enteric fever), Meningitis, Brain abscess, Antimicrobial use in patients with head injuries, penetrating brain injuries,  Sinusitis, bacterial, complicated, Mastoiditis: 

• Ceftriaxone, IV, 2 g 12 hourly.

Bronchiectasis, Endophthalmitis, bacterial, Pneumonia, community acquired, patients >65 years, comorbid disease, Pneumonia, community acquired, severe pneumonia, Septic shock, Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), no risk factors for MDR infection, Surgical wound infections: female uro-genital tract, open GIT surgery:

• Ceftriaxone 2 g, IV, daily.

CHLORAMPHENICOL

Chemical burn, Snake venom in the eye:

• Chloramphenicol 1%, ophthalmic ointment, applied 6 hourly.

Conjunctivitis, bacterial:

• Chloramphenicol 1%, ophthalmic ointment, applied 8 hourly.

Ophthalmic surgery:

• Chloramphenicol 0.5% ophthalmic drops, instil 1 drop 2–4 hourly for 24 hours prior to surgery.

CIPROFLOXACIN

Otitis media, chronic, suppurative:

• Ciprofloxacin 0.3%, ophthalmic drops, 3-4 drops instilled into the ear every 8 hours for 7 days after mopping.

Conjunctivitis, bacterial, Keratitis, suppurative:

• Ciprofloxacin 0.3%, ophthalmic drops.

Meningitis, nasopharyngeal carriage eradication, Meningitis, prophylaxis of contacts:

• Ciprofloxacin, oral, 500 mg immediately as a single dose.

Cholera, Acute inflammatory diarrhoea (dysentery) , Bacterial peritonitis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), stage II-IV: severe penicillin allergy, Septic miscarriage, severe penicillin allergy, de-escalation therapy, Urinary tract infection (complicated community acquired UTI),  Urinary tract infection (UTI),  acute pyelonephritis:  de-escalation therapy, Prostatitis, Urinary tract infections, catheter associated, Typhoid fever (enteric fever), chronic carriers, Typhoid fever (enteric fever), following ceftriaxone IV, based on culture sensitivity results, Cystoisosporiasis, cotrimoxazole allergy: 

• Ciprofloxacin, oral, 500 mg 12 hourly.

Bronchiectasis, pseudomonas infection, Otitis externa, necrostising, Endophthalmitis, bacterial, prophylaxis/soft tissue injury:

• Ciprofloxacin, oral, 750 mg 12 hourly for 7 days.

Tick bite fever, cannot take oral medicines:

• Ciprofloxacin, IV, 400 mg 8 hourly.

CLINDAMYCIN

Cellulitis and erysipelas, severe penicillin allergy, Furuncles and abscesses , severe penicillin allergy, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)  , stage II-IV: severe penicillin allergy, Septic miscarriage, severe penicillin allergy,  Surgical wound infections, severe penicillin allergy, Abscess, peritonsillar, severe penicillin allergy, 13.2:   Arthritis, septic and osteomyelitis, acute, severe penicillin allergy:

• Clindamycin, IV, 600 mg 8 hourly.

Endocarditis, infective, prophylaxis: severe penicillin allergy (if patient cannot take oral), Cardiac surgery, severe penicillin allergy, Endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures: severe penicillin allergy, Gastrointestinal surgery: severe penicillin allergy, General surgery: severe penicillin allergy, Neurosurgery: severe penicillin allergy, Obstetrics/ gynaecology surgery: severe penicillin allergy, Orthopaedic surgery: severe penicillin allergy, Otorhinolaryngology/Head and neck surgery: severe penicillin allergy, Plastic and reconstructive surgery: severe penicillin allergy, Thoracic surgery: severe penicillin allergy, Urology: severe penicillin allergy, Vascular surgery: severe penicillin allergy:

• Clindamycin, IV, 600 mg as a single dose.

Endocarditis, infective, prophylaxis, severe penicillin allergy:

• Clindamycin, oral, 600 mg one hour before the procedure.

Diabetic foot ulcers, severe penicillin allergy:

• Clindamycin, oral, 150-450 mg 8 hourly.

Cellulitis and erysipelas: severe penicillin allergy, Furuncles and abscesses: severe penicillin allergy, Atopic eczema/dermatitis: severe penicillin allergy, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), stage II-IV: severe penicillin allergy, de-escalation therapy, Septic miscarriage, severe penicillin allergy: de-escalation therapy, Surgical wound infections, severe penicillin allergy, de-escalation therapy ,Arthritis, septic and osteomyelitis, acute: severe penicillin allergy, Abscess, peritonsillar, Extravasions:

• Clindamycin, oral, 450 mg 8 hourly.

Endocarditis, infective, prophylaxis, severe penicillin allergy:

• Clindamycin, oral, 600 mg one hour before the dental procedure.

Pneumocystis pneumonia, cotrimoxazole intolerance, unsuccessful cotrimoxazole desensitisation:

• Clindamycin, oral, 600 mg 8 hourly for 21 days.

CLOTRIMAZOLE

Fungal infections, yeast and dermatophytes:

• Clotrimazole 1%, topical, apply 8 hourly until clear of disease (i.e. for at least 2 weeks after the lesions have cleared).

COTRIMOXAZOLE

Recurrent UTI, prophylaxis:

• Cotrimoxazole 80/400 mg, oral, 1 tablet at night.

Oppurtunistic infection prophylaxis, with cotrimoxazole, Cystoisosporiasis, secondary prophylaxis, Pneumocystis pneumonia, secondary prophylaxis, Cerebral toxoplasmosis, secondary prophylaxis:

• Cotrimoxazole, oral, 160/800 daily.

Pneumocystis pneumonia: <60kg:

• Cotrimoxazole, oral, 240/1200 6 hourly for 21 days.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis:

• Cotrimoxazole 320/1600, oral, 12 hourly for 28 days, followed by 240/1200 tablets 12 hourly for 3 months.

Cystoisosporiasis:

• Cotrimoxazole 320/1600, oral, 12 hourly for 10 days.

Pneumocystis pneumonia, >60kg:

• Cotrimoxazole 320/1600 mg, oral, 6 hourly for 21 days.

Pneumocystis pneumonia, if vomiting:

• Cotrimoxazole, IV, 6 hourly.
• < 60 kg 240/1200 mg.
•  > 60 kg 320/ 1600 mg.

DAPSONE

Pneumocystis pneumonia, if primaquine not available:

• Dapsone, oral, 100 mg daily for 21 days.

Pneumocystis pneumonia, secondary prophylaxis, cotrimoxazole intolerant:

• Dapsone, oral, 100 mg daily for at least 6 months.

DOXYCYCLINE

Acne, inflammatory (moderate):

• Doxycycline, oral, 100 mg daily for 3 months.

Tick bite fever, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe penicillin allergy:

• Doxycycline, oral, 100 mg 12 hourly for 5 or 7 days.

Brucellosis: 

• Doxycycline, oral, 100 mg 12 hourly for 6 weeks.

Bubo:

• Doxycycline, oral, 100 mg 12 hourly for 21 days (or more for laboratory confirmed diagnosis of LGV).

ECHINOCANDIN

Intravascular catheter infections (specialist motivation).

ERTAPENEM

Surgical wound infections (gram-negative organism):

• Ertapenem, IV, 1 g daily.

ETHAMBUTOL

INH monoresistant TB:

• Ethambutol, oral, 15 mg/kg daily for 6-9 months.

Mycobacteriosis - disseminated non tuberculous: 

• Ethambutol, oral, 15–20 mg/kg daily.

Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs: drug-induced liver injury:

• Ethambutol, oral, 800 - 1200 mg daily.

FLUCLOXACILLIN

Arthritis, septic and osteomyelitis, acute:

• Flucloxacillin, oral, 1 g 6 hourly (after 2 weeks of IV cloxacillin therapy in patients with good clinical response to complete the 4 weeks treatment).

Cellulitis and erysipelas, Impetigo , Furuncles and abscesses, Atopic eczema/dermatitis (infected eczema), Surgical wound infections , Zoster (Shingles)- if there is suspected associated bacterial cellulitis:

• Flucloxacillin, oral, 500 mg 6 hourly.

FLUCONAZOLE

Fungal infections, dermatophyte hair and nail infections; immunocompomised with extensive skin infection,  Fungal infections, onychomycosis:

• Fluconazole, oral, 200 mg weekly.

Candidiasis of oesophagus/trachea/bronchi, Asymptomatic cryptococcosis, CrAg positive, maintenance therapy, Symptomatic, Non-Meningeal Cryptococcosis, maintenance therapy, Cryptococcal meningitis, maintenance therapy, Cryptococcal meningitis, HIV-uninfected:

• Fluconazole, oral, 200 mg daily.

Candidiasis of oesophagus/trachea/bronchi, if vomiting or unable to swallow:

• Fluconazole, IV, 200 mg daily.

 Cryptococcal meningitis, HIV-uninfected:

• Fluconazole, oral, 400 mg daily for 8 weeks.

Intravascular catheter infections, candidaemia, Asymptomatic cryptococcosis, CrAg positive, consolidation phase, Symptomatic, Non-Meningeal Cryptococcosis, consolidation phase, Cryptococcal meningitis, consolidation phase, Cryptococcal meningitis, HIV-uninfected:

• Fluconazole, oral, 800 mg daily

Asymptomatic cryptococcosis, CrAg positive, induction therapy, Symptomatic, Non-Meningeal Cryptococcosis, induction therapy, Cryptococcal meningitis, induction therapy:

• Fluconazole, oral, 1200 mg daily

FOSFOMYCIN

Cystitis (in pregnancy),  Urinary tract infection (UTI): 

• Fosfomycin 3 g, oral, as a single dose.

GANCICLOVIR

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), HIV:

• Ganciclovir, IV, 5 mg/kg 12 hourly.

Retinitis, HIV CMV:

• Ganciclovir, intravitreal, 2 mg once a week.

GENTAMICIN

Endocarditis, infective, empiric therapy (prosthetic and native valve); staphylococcal directed therapy; streptococcal directed therapy (native valve):

• Gentamicin, IV, 1.5 mg/kg 12 hourly.

Endocarditis, infective, enterococcal directed therapy (native valve):

• Gentamicin, IV, 1 mg/kg 8 hourly.

 Urinary tract infection (UTI):

• Gentamicin, IM, 5 mg/kg as a single dose

Meningitis: Listeria monocytogenes meningitis:

• Gentamicin, IV, 5 mg/kg daily for 7 days (may be prolonged if response is poor).

Febrile neutropenia, Endocarditis, infective, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) , stage II-IV: severe penicillin allergy, Septic miscarriage (severe penicillin allergy), Pyelonephritis, acute, in pregnancy, Urinary tract infection (UTI), acute pyelonephritis: normal renal function, Diabetic foot ulcers – severe penicillin allergy, Brucellosis, Gastrointestinal surgery: severe pencillin allergy,Urology procedures: severe penicillin allergy, Male urethritis syndrome (MUS), Vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS):

• Gentamicin, IV, 6 mg/kg, daily.

IMIPENEM

Febrile neutropenia (if fever develops after 48 hours of admission – also consider local susceptibility patterns): 

• Imipenem/cilastin, IV, 500/500 mg 6 hourly.

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), with risk factors, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP):

• Imipenem/cilastin, IV, 1000/1000 mg 8 hourly (except CNS infections or known epileptics).

ISONIAZID

Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs, drug-induced liver injury, Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT):

• Isoniazid, oral 300 mg daily.

LEVOFLOXACIN

Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs, drug-induced liver injury, Isoniazid monoresistant TB: 

• Levofloxacin 750 - 1000 mg daily.

MEROPENEM

Febrile neutropenia:

• Meropenem, IV, 1 g 8 hourly.

Meningitis, Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), with risk factors, VAP, CNS infections/seizures:

• Meropenem, IV, 2 g 8 hourly.

METRONIDAZOLE

Diarrhoea, antibiotic associated, Preterm labour (PTL) and preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) , Brain abscess:

• Metronidazole, oral, 400 mg 8 hourly

Peptic ulcer, H. pylori +ve, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), stage I:

• Metronidazole, oral, 400 mg 12 hourly for 7 days.

Liver abscess, amoebic, Amoebic dysentery:

• Metronidazole, oral, 800 mg 8 hourly for 10 days.

Giardiasis, Sexual assault , Non occupational post exposure prophylaxis, sexual assault and inadvertent exposure, Vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS):

• Metronidazole, oral, 2 g.

Gastrointestinal surgery, Obstetrics/ gynaecology surgery, Otorhinolaryngology/ Head and neck surgery, Urology, Thoracic surgery, Vascular surgery:

• Metronidazole, IV, 500 mg, as a single dose.

Clostridum difficile diarrhoea, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), stage II-IV,  Surgical wound infections, female uro-genital tract, open GIT surgery,  Tetanus, Brain abscess:

• Metronidazole, IV, 500 mg, 8 hourly.

MOXIFLOXACIN

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), severe penicillin allergy, Bronchiectasis if pseudomonas infection is suspected, severe penicillin allergy, Lung abscess, severe penicillin allergy, Pneumonia, community acquired, severe penicillin allergy, Pneumonia, aspiration, severe penicillin allergy, Empyema, severe penicillin allergy:

• Moxifloxacin, IV, 400 mg daily, until patient apyrexial for 24 hours.

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), severe penicillin allergy, Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs, Bronchiectasis if pseudomonas infection is suspected, severe penicillin allergy, Lung abscess, severe penicillin allergy, Pneumonia, community acquired, severe penicillin allergy, Pneumonia, aspiration, severe penicillin allergy, Empyema, severe penicillin allergy:

• Moxifloxacin, oral, 400 mg daily.

NATAMYCIN

Keratitis, suppurative, fungal infection:

• Natamycin 5%, ophthalmic drops. 

NITROFURANTOIN

Cystitis (pregnancy); Urinary tract infection (UTI):

• Nitrofurantoin, oral, 100 mg 6 hourly for 5 days.

PHENOXYMETHYLPENICILLIN

Rheumatic heart disease, prophylaxis:   

• Phenoxymethylpenicillin, oral, 250 mg 12 hourly.

Rheumatic heart disease, acute rheumatic fever:

• Phenoxymethylpenicillin, oral, 500 mg 12 hourly for 10 days.

Syphilis, penicillin desensitisation:

• Phenoxymethylpenicillin, IV, 250 mg/5 mL.

PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM

Febrile neutropenia, Surgical wound infections, Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), with risk factors, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), CNS infections/seizures:

• Piperacillin/tazobactam, IV, 4.5 g 8 hourly.

PROCAINE PENICILLIN

Syphilis, symptomatic baby:

• Procaine penicillin, IM, 50 000 units/kg daily for 10 days (Not for I.V. use).

PYRAZINAMIDE

Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs, drug-induced liver injury, INH monoresistant TB:

• Pyrazinamide, oral, 25 mg/kg daily.

RIFABUTIN

Antiretroviral therapy, TB treatment for patients on ATV/r or darunavir when rifampicin is contraindicated:

• Rifabutin, oral, 150 mg daily.

RIFAMPICIN

Endocarditis, infective, Brucellosis:

• Rifampicin, oral, 7.5 mg/kg 12 hourly for 6 weeks.

INH monoresistant TB:

• Rifampicin, oral, 10 mg/kg daily.

Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs, drug-induced liver injury; <60kg:

• Rifampicin, oral 450 mg daily.

Management of selected antiretroviral ADRs, drug-induced liver injury:

• Rifampicin, oral 600 mg daily.

RIFAMPICIN/ISONIAZID

Tuberculosis, pulmonary, continuation phase: 30-37kg, Tuberculosis, Pleural, continuation phase: 30-37kg:

•  Rifampicin/isoniazid, oral, 300/150 mg, daily for 4 months.

Tuberculosis, pulmonary, continuation phase: 38-54kg, Tuberculosis, Pleural, continuation phase: 38-54kg:

• Rifampicin/isoniazid, oral, 450/225 mg, daily for 4 months.

Tuberculosis, pulmonary, continuation phase: >55kg , Tuberculosis, Pleural, continuation phase: >55kg:

• Rifampicin/isoniazid, oral, 600/300 mg, daily for 4 months.

RIFAMPICIN/ISONIAZID/PYRAZINAMIDE/ETHAMBUTOL

Tuberculosis, pulmonary, initial phase: 30-37kg, Tuberculosis, Pleural, initial phase: 30-37kg, Isoniazid monoresistant TB (single medicines unavailable): 30-37kg:

• Rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/ethambutol, oral, 300/150/800/500mg daily for 2-6 months.

Tuberculosis, pulmonary, initial phase: 38-54kg: Tuberculosis, Pleural, initial phase: 38-54kg, Isoniazid monoresistant TB (single medicines unavailable): 38-54kg:

• Rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/ethambutol, oral, 450/225/1200/825 mg daily for 2-6 months.

Tuberculosis, pulmonary, initial phase: 55-70kg, Tuberculosis, Pleural, initial phase: 55-70kg, Isoniazid monoresistant TB (single medicines unavailable): 55-70kg:

• Rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/ethambutol, oral, 600/300/1600/1100 mg daily for 2-6 months.

Tuberculosis, pulmonary, initial phase: 71kg and over, Tuberculosis, Pleural, initial phase: 71kg and over, Isoniazid monoresistant TB (single medicines unavailable): >71kg:

• Rifampicin/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/ethambutol, oral, 750/3755/2000/1375 mg, daily for 2-6 months.

TENOFOVIR

Hepatitis B, chronic (non-HIV co-infection):

• Tenofovir, oral, 300 mg daily.

VALGANCICLOVIR

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Retinitis, HIV CMV:

• Valganciclovir, oral, 900 mg 12 hourly for 3 weeks, then 900 mg daily until immune recovery (CD4 >100 cells/mm³).

VANCOMYCIN

Clostridum difficile diarrhoea:

• Vancomycin, oral, 125 mg 6 hourly. (Give the parenteral formulation orally).

Endophthalmitis, bacterial:

• Vancomycin, intravitreal, 1 mg.

Endocarditis, infective:

• Vancomycin, IV, 20 mg/kg 12 hourly.

Febrile neutropenia, IV, skin infection, Intravascular catheter infections, S. aureus infection, Surgical wound infections, MRSA:

• Vancomycin, IV, 30 mg/kg as a loading dose. Follow with 20 mg/kg/dose 12 hourly.

Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults 2019 Edition