Aspiration Pneumonia

Duration

5 days and review

Mild to Moderate Infection

Therapy

Amoxicillin oral 500mg 8 hourly (or IV 1g 8 hourly if oral route not available)

+

Metronidazole oral 400mg 8 hourly (or 500mg IV 8 hourly if oral route not available)

Penicillin allergy

Doxycycline oral 200mg stat on first day then 100mg daily

(or vancomycin IV if oral route not available. Dosing as per guideline. Use Vancomycin calculator)

+

Metronidazole oral 400mg 8 hourly (or IV 500mg 8 hourly if oral route not available)

Severe Infection

Therapy

Amoxicillin IV 1g 8 hourly

+

Metronidazole IV 500mg 8 hourly

+

Gentamicin IV (Extended interval dosing as per guideline. Use Gentamicin calculator. Max 3 days then review)

Severe Infection with Penicillin Allergy

Vancomycin IV (Dosing as per guideline. Use Vancomycin calculator)

+

Metronidazole IV 500mg 8 hourly

+

Gentamicin IV (Extended interval dosing as per guideline. Use Gentamicin calculator. Max 3 days then review)