By Drug Class
| Class | Examples | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Penicillins | Amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav | Respiratory, UTI |
| Cephalosporins | Ceftriaxone, cefalexin | Broad-spectrum, meningitis |
| Macrolides | Clarithromycin, azithromycin | Atypical pneumonia, penicillin allergy |
| Fluoroquinolones | Ciprofloxacin | UTI, GI — caution: tendon/QT risk |
| Glycopeptides | Vancomycin | MRSA, severe Gram-positive infection |
| Carbapenems | Meropenem | Broad-spectrum, reserved for resistant organisms |
| Aminoglycosides | Gentamicin | Gram-negative; nephrotoxic/ototoxic, monitor levels |
This table is for orientation only — doses and exact agent choice vary by local protocol and resistance patterns.
Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Treatment is guided by severity (see the full pneumonia management guide and CURB-65 calculator) — outpatient single-agent therapy for low severity, combination therapy for moderate-severe disease.
Urinary Tract Infection
Uncomplicated lower UTI typically needs a short oral course per local resistance guidance. Pyelonephritis needs a longer course and possibly IV therapy. Catheter-associated UTI should only be treated if symptomatic.
Sepsis
The Hour-1 bundle calls for broad-spectrum empirical antibiotics within one hour of recognition (see the qSOFA calculator for screening) — choice depends on the suspected source and local resistance patterns, then de-escalates once cultures return.
A Note on Stewardship
Antibiotic choice and dosing should always follow local antimicrobial guidelines. Resistance patterns vary significantly by region and change over time — this page is for orientation, not prescribing.