Selecting a Treatment Regimen 
Table 1. Recommendations for the Treatment of MRSA (cont'd) Manifestation 
Treatments 
Management/ Surgery 
Central Nervous System Infections Meningitis 
For CNS shunt infection, shunt removal is recommended, and it should not be replaced until CSF cultures are repeatedly negative (A-II). 
Brain abscess, subdural empyema, spinal epidural abscess 
Neurosurgical evaluation for incision and drainage is recommended (A-II). 
Septic thrombosis of cavernous or dural venous sinus 
Surgical evaluation for incision and drainage of contiguous sites of infection or abscess is recommended whenever possible (A-II). The role of anticoagulation is controversial. 
Bone and Joint Infections Vancomycin‡§ Osteomyelitis 
Surgical debridement and drainage of associated soſt tissue abscesses is the mainstay of therapy and should be performed whenever feasible (A-II). 
Treat adults for ≥ 8 weeks (A-II); children for 4-6 weeks. If no debridement, continue for 12+ weeks with rifampin plus 2nd 
based on sensitivities (C-III). 
drug 
Daptomycin‡ (Cubicin® 
Linezolid (Zyvox® 
) 
Clindamycin (Cleocin® 
others) 
and rifampin 
8 , 
TMP-SMX‡ (Bactrim® 
) ‡ Adjust dose for renal impairment – see Prescribing Information for renal dosing. 
15-20 mg/kg/dose IV q8-12h 
) 6 mg/kg/day IV daily 
600 mg PO/IV bid 
600 mg PO/IV tid 
3.5-4 mg/kg/dose PO/IV bid 
600 mg PO daily Vancomycin‡§ 
Treat for 2 weeks. 
Linezolid (Zyvox® 
) 
TMP-SMX‡ (Bactrim® 
Treat for 4-6 weeks. 
Linezolid (Zyvox® 
) 
TMP-SMX‡ (Bactrim® 
Treat for 4-6 weeks. 
Linezolid (Zyvox® 
) 
TMP-SMX‡ (Bactrim® 
Vancomycin‡§ 
15-20 mg/kg/dose IV q8-12h 
600 mg PO/IV bid 
) 5 mg/kg/dose Vancomycin‡§ 
600 mg PO/IV bid 
PO/IV q8-12h 
15-20 mg/kg/dose IV q8-12h 
) 5 mg/kg/dose 
600 mg PO/IV bid 
Duration of Therapy 
Agent (Brand) 
Antibiotics Adult Dose 
PO/IV q8-12h 
15-20 mg/kg/dose IV q8-12h 
) 5 mg/kg/dose 
PO/IV q8-12h