Transitioning inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia from IV to oral antibiotics

IV: intravenous.

* Patients should show some clinical response before switching to oral medications. Fever may persist with lobar pneumonia. Cough from pneumococcal pneumonia may not clear for a week; abnormal chest radiograph findings usually clear within 4 weeks but may persist for 12 weeks in older individuals and those with underlying pulmonary disease.

¶ Generally avoid in patients with known QT interval prolongation or risk factors for QT interval prolongation.

Δ Dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal insufficiency.

◊ Cefpodoxime has similar coverage to ceftriaxone and cefotaxime and is generally preferred for patients with structural lung disease and others at risk for infection with Enterobacteriaceae (eg, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp).