Recommend a Beta-Lactam/Macrolide Combo in Hospitalized Pneumonia Patients
June 2015
You'll hear debate about whether it's okay to use a beta-lactam ALONE in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Guidelines recommend using a beta-lactam (ceftriaxone, etc) plus a macrolide (azithromycin, etc)...OR a respiratory quinolone (levofloxacin, etc)...in non-ICU CAP patients. The idea is to help cover atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma or Legionella.
Now new evidence suggests that beta-lactam monotherapy is associated with similar 90-day mortality as a beta-lactam/macrolide combo...or respiratory quinolone monotherapy.
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