Clinical definition:
Bacterial infections of skin and underlying soft tissue including cellulitis and abscess.
| Preferred antibiotic choice(s) | |||
| Drug | Formulation | Dosage | Duration |
| Cloxacillin (PO) | Capsule: 500 mg; 1 g (as sodium salt); Powder for oral liquid: 125 mg (as sodium salt)/5 mL | 250 mg 6 hourly | 5 days |
| Alternative antibiotic choices: | |||
| Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (PO) Used for patients with animal bitesA. | Oral liquid: 125 mg amoxicillin + 31.25 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL AND 250 mg amoxicillin + 62.5 mg clavulanic acid/5 mL; Tablet: 500 mg (as trihydrate) + 125 mg (as potassium salt) | 500 mg of amoxicillin component 8 hourly | 5 days |
| Cefalexin (PO) | Powder for reconstitution with water: 125 mg/5 mL; 250 mg/5 mL (anhydrous); Solid oral dosage form: 250 mg (as monohydrate) | 500 mg 6 hourly | 5 days |
| In case of confirmed drug allergy or medical contraindication | |||
| Clindamycin (PO) | Capsule: 150 mg (as hydrochloride); Oral liquid: 75 mg/5 mL (as palmitate) | 300 mg 8 hourly | 5 days |
A. For patients with suspected animal bite, assess for rabies risk and consider administering a tetanus booster.
Principles of Stewardship:
- Withhold antibiotics for standard, uncomplicated abscess in an otherwise well person if the abscess can be incised and drained.
- If IV antibiotic therapy is clinically indicated, review patient progress at day 3 of treatment to consider switch from IV to oral therapy.