Table 4.
Antimicrobials frequently used for nosocomial pneumonia or healthcare-associated pneumonia in the home setting.
| Antibiotic | Standard Dose | Microbiological Target | Stability at 25 °C | Home iv Infusion Device/Modality | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Pump | Elastomeric Pump/Gravity | ||||
| Piperacillin-tazobactam | 4/0.5 g every 6–8 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae | >24 h | Yes | Optional (self-administration) b |
| Ceftazidime | 1–2 g every 8 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae | >24 h | Yes | Optional (self-administration) b |
| Cefepime | 2 g every 8–12 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae | >24 h | Yes | Optional (self-administration) b |
| Meropenem | 1–2 g every 8 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae ESBL | <24 h | No a | Yes (self-administration) c |
| Ertapenem | 1 g every 24 h | Enterobacteriaceae ESBL | <24 h | No needed | |
| Ceftolozane-tazobactam | 2/1 g every 8 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Up to 24 h | Yes | Optional (self-administration) b |
| Ceftazidime-avibactam | 2/0.5 g every 8 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, other resistant Enterobacteriaceae | <24 h | No a | Yes (self-administration) |
| Amikacin * | 15–20 mg/kg/d | Pseudomonas aeruginosa | >24 h | No needed | Yes |
| Tobramycin * | 5–7 mg/kg/d | Pseudomonas aeruginosa | >24 h | No needed | Yes |
| Gentamicin * | 5–7 mg/kg/d | Pseudomonas aeruginosa | >24 h | No needed | Yes |
| Aztreonam * | 1–2 g every 8 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae | >24 h | Yes | Optional (self-administration) b |
| Levofloxacin * | 500 mg every 24 h | Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae | >24 h | No needed | Gravity (presentation as 100 mL ready-to-use containers) |
| Linezolid | 600 mg every 12 h | MRSA | >24 h | No | Gravity (presentation as 300 mL ready-to-use containers) |
| Vancomycin | 15–20 mg/kg every 12 h | MRSA | >24 h | Yes | Consider two nursing visits. Optional: self-administration b,d |
| Ceftaroline | 600 mg every 12 h | MRSA | Up to 24 h (6 mg/mL in sodium chloride 0.9%, protected from light) | Yes | Consider two nursing visits. Optional: self-administration b |
| Ceftobiprole | 500 mg every 8 h | MRSA | Up to 24 h (2 mg/mL in sodium chloride 0.9%, protected from light) | Yes | Gravity (2-h infusion) |
(* in combination); MRSA: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. ESBL: Extended spectrum beta-lactamase. a Unless the dilution is kept refrigerated. b For selected patients and only after a thorough training process, self-administration may be offered as an alternative to electronic pump infusion. c Some practitioners combine two nursing visits with the use of the electronic pumps to avoid self-administration. d At least 1 h infusion.