Table 1

Summary of suggested antibiotic regimens

Early or late infectionChoice of antibiotic
Early (<48 h to 1 week)First line

  • Benzyl penicillin with gentamicin

  • Consider replacing penicillin with amoxicillin if Listeria proven or suspected

  • Consider replacing penicillin with flucloxacillin if Staphylococcus aureus suspected

Late (>48 h to 1 week)First line

  • Flucloxacillin with gentamicin

Second line

  • Vancomycin and gentamicin (with caution)

  • Alternative to gentamicin to extend Gram-negative cover: piperacillin/tazobactam (tazocin)

Third line

  • Meropenem, ciprofloxacin

MeningitisCefotaxime with amoxicillin ± gentamicin
Second line

  • Meropenem