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Gentamicin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 3, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 40 mg/mL; 10 mg/mL; 60 mg/50 mL-0.9%; 70 mg/50 mL-0.9%; 80 mg/50 mL-0.9%; 80 mg/100 mL-0.9%; 90 mg/100 mL-0.9%; 100 mg/100 mL-0.9%; 60 mg/100 mL-0.9%; 40 mg/50 mL-0.9%; 120 mg/100 mL-0.9%; 100 mg/50 mL-0.9%

Usual Adult Dose for Osteomyelitis

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Comments:

Uses:

Some experts recommend:
Sepsis: 5 to 7 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours

Comments:

Use: Treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Comments:

Uses:

Some experts recommend:
Sepsis: 5 to 7 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours

Comments:

Use: Treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Comments:

Uses:

Some experts recommend:
Sepsis: 5 to 7 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours

Comments:

Use: Treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Comments:

Uses:

Some experts recommend:
Sepsis: 5 to 7 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours

Comments:

Use: Treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Usual Adult Dose for Sepsis

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Comments:

Uses:

Some experts recommend:
Sepsis: 5 to 7 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours

Comments:

Use: Treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Usual Adult Dose for Burns - External

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Comments:

Uses:

Some experts recommend:
Sepsis: 5 to 7 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours

Comments:

Use: Treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Usual Adult Dose for Endocarditis

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Use: Treatment of endocarditis (with a penicillin-type agent) caused by group D streptococci

American Heart Association (AHA) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
Empiric Treatment and culture-negative endocarditis:
Native-valve (community-acquired) OR "late" prosthetic valve: 3 to 5 mg/kg IV per day PLUS ampicillin/sulbactam with/without vancomycin

Enterococcal endocarditis: 3 to 5 mg/kg IM or IV per day, given in 2 to 3 equally divided doses PLUS penicillin G OR ampicillin

Gram-negative enteric bacilli: 3 to 5 mg/kg IV per day (or tobramycin or amikacin) PLUS ceftazidime, cefepime, cefotaxime, or ceftriaxone

Haemophilus species, Aggregatibacter species, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella species (HACEK group): 3 to 5 mg/kg IV per day (or tobramycin or amikacin) PLUS ampicillin

Staphylococcal endocarditis: 3 to 5 mg/kg IM or IV per day, given in 2 to 3 doses PLUS rifampin AND nafcillin or oxacillin OR vancomycin

Viridians group Streptococcus (VGS): 3 to 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours PLUS penicillin G or ceftriaxone
Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

IDSA Recommendations:
Prosthetic valve endocarditis: 1 mg/kg IV every 8 hours with vancomycin and rifampin
Duration of therapy: 2 weeks

Comments:

Use: Treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA)

Usual Adult Dose for Meningitis

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Use: Treatment of central nervous system infections, including meningitis, caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

IDSA, American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) Recommendations:
Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis:
IV: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours
Intraventricular:
Patients with slit ventricles: 2 mg via intraventricular route (plus vancomycin)
Patients with normal-sized ventricles: 3 mg via intraventricular route (plus vancomycin)
Patients with enlarged ventricles: 4 to 5 mg via intraventricular route (plus vancomycin)

Intraventricular route frequency of dosing:

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Use: Treatment of healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis

Usual Adult Dose for CNS Infection

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Use: Treatment of central nervous system infections, including meningitis, caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

IDSA, American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) Recommendations:
Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis:
IV: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours
Intraventricular:
Patients with slit ventricles: 2 mg via intraventricular route (plus vancomycin)
Patients with normal-sized ventricles: 3 mg via intraventricular route (plus vancomycin)
Patients with enlarged ventricles: 4 to 5 mg via intraventricular route (plus vancomycin)

Intraventricular route frequency of dosing:

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Use: Treatment of healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis

Usual Adult Dose for Intraabdominal Infection

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Use: Treatment of serious bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

Surgical Infection Society (SIS) and IDSA Recommendations:
Initial dose: 5 to 7 mg/kg IV every 24 hours
Duration of therapy: Up to 4 to 7 days

Comments:

Use: Empiric combination treatment of complicated healthcare-associated intraabdominal infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae or P aeruginosa greater than 20% resistant to ceftazidime

Usual Adult Dose for Peritonitis

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Use: Treatment of peritonitis caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
Intermittent (1 exchange daily): 0.6 mg/kg intraperitoneally once a day

Continuous (all exchanges):

Comments:

Use: Treatment of peritonitis

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Uses:

IDSA and American Thoracic Society (ATS) Recommendations:
Duration of therapy: At least 5 days

Comments:

Use: Preferred adjunctive treatment of community-acquired pneumonia caused by P aeruginosa

Usual Adult Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Systemic infections: 1 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) every 8 hours


Life-threatening infections:
Initial dose: 5 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Maintenance dose: 3 mg/kg IM or IV infusion (over 30 to 120 minutes) per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:

Uses:

IDSA and American Thoracic Society (ATS) Recommendations:
Duration of therapy: At least 5 days

Comments:

Use: Preferred adjunctive treatment of community-acquired pneumonia caused by P aeruginosa

Usual Adult Dose for Bacteremia

IDSA Recommendations:
Persistent bacteremia: 1 mg/kg IV every 8 hours PLUS high-dose daptomycin

Comment: Search and removal of other foci of infection, drainage, or surgical debridement should be performed.

Use: Management of persistent MRSA bacteremia and vancomycin treatment failures

Usual Adult Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), IDSA, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), and SIS Recommendations:
5 mg/kg IV once, within 120 minutes before surgery

Comment: The recommended redosing interval from initiation of the preoperative dose is 2 hours.

Uses:
Recommended agent (in combination with cefazolin) for surgical prophylaxis in patient undergoing:


Alternative agent for surgical prophylaxis in patients who have a beta-lactam allergy and are undergoing:

Alternative agent (in combination with clindamycin, vancomycin, metronidazole, aztreonam, or a fluoroquinolone) for surgical prophylaxis in patients who have a beta-lactam allergy and are undergoing:

Usual Adult Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) Recommendations:
Parenteral Treatment:
Initial dose: 2 mg/kg IM or IV once
Maintenance dose: 1.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours OR 3 to 5 mg/kg once a day

Comments:


Use: Recommended adjunctive treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Mycoplasma hominis

Usual Adult Dose for Plague

IDSA and ATS Recommendations:
1.5 mg/kg IM every 8 hours


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Tularemia

IDSA and ATS Recommendations:
1.5 mg/kg IM every 8 hours


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Bartonellosis

US Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and US CDC Recommendations:
1 mg/kg IV every 8 hours PLUS doxycycline


Comment: After 2 weeks, IV or oral doxycycline should be continued for at least 3 months total.

Use: Treatment of confirmed Bartonella endocarditis

AHA Recommendations:
Suspected Bartonella endocarditis, culture negative or initially culture negative: 3 mg/kg IM or IV per day, given in 3 equally divided doses

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Osteomyelitis

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:


Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 48 hours
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age 7 days or less: 4 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age over 7 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Greater than 28 days: 6 to 7.5 mg IM or IV in 3 doses OR 5 to 7.5 mg IM or IV once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:


Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 48 hours
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age 7 days or less: 4 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age over 7 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Greater than 28 days: 6 to 7.5 mg IM or IV in 3 doses OR 5 to 7.5 mg IM or IV once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:


Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 48 hours
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age 7 days or less: 4 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age over 7 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Greater than 28 days: 6 to 7.5 mg IM or IV in 3 doses OR 5 to 7.5 mg IM or IV once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:


Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 48 hours
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age 7 days or less: 4 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age over 7 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Greater than 28 days: 6 to 7.5 mg IM or IV in 3 doses OR 5 to 7.5 mg IM or IV once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:


Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 48 hours
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age 7 days or less: 4 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age over 7 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Greater than 28 days: 6 to 7.5 mg IM or IV in 3 doses OR 5 to 7.5 mg IM or IV once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Sepsis

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:


Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 48 hours
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age 7 days or less: 4 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age over 7 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Greater than 28 days: 6 to 7.5 mg IM or IV in 3 doses OR 5 to 7.5 mg IM or IV once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Burns - External

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:


Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 48 hours
Gestational age less than 30 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age 14 days or less: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 36 hours
Gestational age 30 to 34 weeks, postnatal age over 14 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age 7 days or less: 4 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Gestational age 35 weeks or greater, postnatal age over 7 days: 5 mg/kg IM or IV every 24 hours
Greater than 28 days: 6 to 7.5 mg IM or IV in 3 doses OR 5 to 7.5 mg IM or IV once a day

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Endocarditis

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Use: Treatment of endocarditis (with a penicillin-type agent) caused by group D streptococci

AHA and IDSA Recommendations:
Children:
Empiric treatment and culture-negative endocarditis:
Native-valve (community-acquired) OR "late" prosthetic valve: 3 to 6 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours PLUS ampicillin/sulbactam with/without vancomycin

Enterococcal endocarditis: 3 to 6 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours PLUS penicillin G OR ampicillin


Gram-negative enteric bacilli endocarditis: 3 to 6 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours (or tobramycin or amikacin) PLUS ceftazidime, cefepime, cefotaxime, or ceftriaxone

HACEK group endocarditis: 3 to 6 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours (or tobramycin or amikacin) PLUS ampicillin)

Staphylococcal endocarditis: 3 to 6 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours doses PLUS rifampin AND nafcillin or oxacillin OR vancomycin

VGS endocarditis: 3 to 6 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours PLUS penicillin G or ceftriaxone
Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Uses:

IDSA Recommendations:
Children:
Prosthetic valve endocarditis: 1 mg/kg IV every 8 hours with vancomycin and rifampin

Comments:

Use: Treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by MRSA

Usual Pediatric Dose for Meningitis

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Use: Treatment of central nervous system infections, including meningitis, caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

IDSA, AAN, AANS, and NCS Recommendations:
Bacterial Meningitis:
Neonates 0 to 7 days: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 12 hours
Neonates 8 to 28 days, infants, and children: 7.5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours

Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis:
Infants and children:
IV: 7.5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours
Intraventricular:


Intraventricular route frequency of dosing:

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Use: Treatment of healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for CNS Infection

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Use: Treatment of central nervous system infections, including meningitis, caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

IDSA, AAN, AANS, and NCS Recommendations:
Bacterial Meningitis:
Neonates 0 to 7 days: 5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 12 hours
Neonates 8 to 28 days, infants, and children: 7.5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours

Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis:
Infants and children:
IV: 7.5 mg/kg IV per day, given in divided doses every 8 hours
Intraventricular:


Intraventricular route frequency of dosing:

Duration of therapy:

Comments:

Use: Treatment of healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Intraabdominal Infection

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Use: Treatment of serious bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

AAP Recommendations:
Neonatal (over 72 hours) and children: 2 mg/kg IM or IV PLUS cefoxitin OR 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV PLUS metronidazole once

Use: Treatment of ruptured viscus caused by enteric gram-negative bacilli, enterococci, and/or anaerobes (Bacteroides species)

SIS and IDSA Recommendations:
Initial dose: 3 to 7.5 mg/kg IV, given in divided doses every 2 to 4 hours


Comments:

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Peritonitis

Premature and full-term neonates 1 week of age or less: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 12 hours
Neonates and infants: 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Use: Treatment of peritonitis caused by susceptible strains of P aeruginosa, Proteus species (indole-positive/-negative), E coli, Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia species, Citrobacter species, and Staphylococcus species (coagulase-positive/-negative)

ISPD Recommendations:
Continuous peritoneal dialysis:


Intermittent peritoneal dialysis:

Comments:

Use: Treatment of peritonitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

AAP Recommendations:
Neonatal (72 hours or less): 2.5 mg/kg IM or IV once PLUS ampicillin
Neonatal (over 72 hours) and children:


Uses:

ASHP, IDSA, SHEA, and SIS Recommendations:
1 year and older: 2.5 mg/kg IV once, within 120 minutes before surgery

Comment: The recommended redosing interval from initiation of the preoperative dose is 2 hours.

Uses:
Recommended agent (in combination with cefazolin) for surgical prophylaxis in patient undergoing:

Alternative agent for surgical prophylaxis in patients who have a beta-lactam allergy and are undergoing:

Alternative agent (in combination with clindamycin, vancomycin, metronidazole, aztreonam, or a fluoroquinolone) for surgical prophylaxis in patients who have a beta-lactam allergy and are undergoing:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

US CDC and AAP Recommendations:
Adolescents:
Parenteral Regimen:
Loading dose: 2 mg/kg IM or IV once
Maintenance dose: 1.5 mg/kg IM or IV every 8 hours OR 3 to 5 mg/kg once a day

Comments:


Use: Recommended adjunctive treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, or M hominis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tularemia

IDSA Recommendations:
Children: 6 mg/kg IV per day, given in 3 divided doses


Comment: Due to health risks posed to laboratory personnel, the laboratory should be notified when tularemia is suspected.

Use: Treatment of severe tularemia caused by F tularensis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bartonellosis

AHA Recommendations:
Suspected Bartonella endocarditis, culture negative or initially culture negative: 3 mg/kg IM or IV per day, given in 3 equally divided doses


Comments:

Uses:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Known/suspected renal dysfunction: Frequent monitoring recommended.

Parenteral Administration:


Signs/symptoms of renal irritation occurring during treatment (e.g., casts, white/red cells, albumin): Increase hydration.
Evidence of renal dysfunction occurring during treatment (e.g., decreased creatinine clearance, decreased urine specific gravity, increased blood urea nitrogen/creatinine, oliguria): Dose reductions should be considered; closely monitor renal and eighth nerve function.
Increased azotemia OR a progressive decrease in urinary output occurring during treatment: Stop treatment.
Evidence of nephrotoxicity: Discontinue the drug OR adjust the dose.

Some experts recommend:
Sepsis and septic shock:

Comments:

Use: Treatment of sepsis and septic shock

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Dose Adjustments

Therapeutic drug monitoring/range:


Obese patients: Use lean body mass to calculate dosing. Providers should consider limiting treatment to short-term durations.

Treatment exceeding 10 days: Auditory, renal, and vestibular functions should be monitored.

AHA and IDSA Recommendations:
Adults:
Enterococcal Endocarditis Therapeutic drug monitoring/range:

Pediatric Patients:
Gram-negative rod isolates:

Synergy:
Initial dose: 3 to 6 mg/kg per day IM or IV, given in divided doses every 8 hours
Maintenance dose: Doses adjusted to peak and trough levels

ASHP, IDSA, SHEA, and SIS Recommendations:

Precautions

US BOXED WARNINGS:
TOXICITY:


NEPHROTOXICITY:

NEUROTOXICITY:

MONITORING:

CONCOMITANT USE:

PREGNANCY:

NARROW THERAPEUTIC INDEX:
Recommendations:

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Hemodialysis:


Peritoneal dialysis: Data not available

Comment: The dose depends on the severity of the infection.

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Storage requirements:

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

IV compatibility:

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.