Pediatric Salmonella Infection Medication
- Author: Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD more...
Medication Summary
In most simple gastroenteritis, antibiotics are not necessary and, in fact, can prolong the duration of illness.
Antibiotics
Class Summary
Patients who are susceptible to invasive disease, those with invasive Salmonella, and those with enteric fever require treatment with antimicrobials.
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox, Trimox)
Interferes with cell wall synthesis. High-dose amoxicillin can be used if treatment with parenteral therapy not necessary.
Ampicillin (Marcillin, Omnipen, Polycillin, Principen)
Demonstrated effectiveness in treatment of gastroenteritis, invasive disease, and enteric fever.
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Third-generation cephalosporin with broad gram-negative coverage and CNS penetration. Ceftriaxone or cefotaxime is considered DOC for Salmonella meningitis.
Cefotaxime (Claforan)
Third-generation cephalosporin. Cefotaxime or ceftriaxone considered DOC for treatment of Salmonella meningitis.
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Considered by many to be DOC for treatment of enteric fever. PO chloramphenicol no longer available in United States.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ, Septra, Bactrim)
Sulfonamide derivative. Inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting synthesis of dihydrofolic acid.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Quinolone antibiotic considered DOC for adult chronic carriers with S typhi infection.
Glucocorticoids
Class Summary
Glucocorticoids have been demonstrated to have some benefit in patients with severe neurologic complications of enteric fever.
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
Demonstrated some potential benefits in patients with obtundation, shock, stupor, or coma from enteric fever.
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