Table 7. Suggested Empirical Antibiotic Regimens Based on
Clinical Severity for DFI*
Infection
Severity
Probable
Pathogen(s)
Antibiotic
Agent (Brand)
Comments
Mild
(usually
treated with
oral agent[s])
Methicillinsensitive
Staphylococcus
aureus (MSSA);
Streptococcus spp.
Dicloxacillin
(generic)
Requires qid dosing; narrowspectrum; inexpensive
Clindamycina
(Cleocin®)
Usually active against
community-associated
MRSA, but check
macrolide sensitivity and
consider ordering a "D-test"
before using for MRSA.
Inhibits protein synthesis of
some bacterial toxins
Cephalexina
(Keflex®, generic)
Requires qid dosing;
inexpensive
Levofloxacina
Once daily dosing;
(Levaquin®, generic) suboptimal against S. aureus
Amoxicillin/
clavulanatea
(Augmentin®)
Relatively broad-spectrum
oral agent that includes
anaerobic coverage
Doxycycline
(Vibramycin®,
generic)
Active against many
MRSA & some Gramnegatives; uncertain against
Streptococcus spp.
Trimethoprim/
sulfamethoxazole
(Bactrim®, Septra®,
generic)
Active against many MRSA
& some Gram-negatives;
uncertain activity against
streptococci
MSSA;
Levofloxacina
Streptococcus spp.;
(Levaquin®, generic)
Enterobacteriaceae;
a
obligate anaerobes Cefoxitin
(Mefoxin®, generic)
Once a day dosing;
suboptimal against S. aureus
MRSA
Moderate
(may be
treated with
oral or initial
parenteral
agent[s])
or
Severe
(usually
treated with
parenteral
agent[s])
2nd generation
cephalosporin with
anaerobic coverage
Ceftriaxone
Once daily dosing, 3rd
(Rocephin®, generic) generation cephalosporin
Ampicillin/
sulbactama
(Unasyn®)
Adequate if low suspicion
of P. aeruginosa
Moxifloxacina
(Avelox®)
Once daily oral dosing.
Relatively broad-spectrum,
including most obligate
anaerobic organisms
Ertapenema
(Invanz®)
Once daily dosing.
Relatively broad-spectrum
including anaerobes, but
not active against
P. aeruginosa
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