Appendicitis medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamed Moubarak, M.D. [2] Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [3]

The mainstay of management for appendicitis is surgery. Antimicrobial therapy is administered for patients with complicated, perforated appendicitis and those who are not managed surgically.

The mainstay of therapy of appendicitis with or without rupture is surgery. Patients should be routinely resuscitated with intravenous fluids, especially with those with suspected sepsis.^[1]

Nonsurgical treatment is not recommended and should be reserved for cases where:^[2]

• Surgery is not available
• Patient is not a candidate for surgical intervention
• The diagnosis is uncertain

Once the patient is diagnosed with appendicitis, antibiotics should be started immediately. Preoperative antibiotics have been associated with lower rates of wound and intra-abdominal infections.^[1] The duration of post-operative treatment with intravenous antibiotics ranges from 5 to 10 days, until fever resolves, white blood cell count normalizes, and bowel function returns.

• 1. Community-acquired infection in adults ^[1]

• 1.1. Mild-to-moderate severity (perforated or abscessed appendicitis and other infections of mild-to-moderate severity):

• 1.1.1. Single agent:

• Preferred regimen (1): Cefoxitin 2 g IV q6h
• Preferred regimen (2): Ertapenem 1 g IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (3): Moxifloxacin 400 mg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (4): Tigecycline 100 mg initial dose, THEN 50 mg IV q12h
• Preferred regimen (5): Ticarcillin–clavulanic acid 3.1 g IV q6h; FDA labeling indicates 200 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 h for moderate infection

• 1.1.2. Combination:

• Preferred regimen (1): Cefazolin 1–2 g IV q8h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h OR 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (2): Cefuroxime 1.5 g IV q8h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h OR 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (3): Ceftriaxone 1–2 g IV q12–24 h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h OR 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (4): Cefotaxime 1–2 g IV q6–8 h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h OR 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (5): Ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q12h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h OR 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (6): Levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h OR 1500 mg q24h

• 1.2. High risk or severity (severe physiologic disturbance, advanced age, or immunocompromised state):

• 1.2.1. Single agent:

• Preferred regimen (1): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h
• Preferred regimen (2): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h
• Preferred regimen (3): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h
• Preferred regimen (4): Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h

• 1.2.2. Combination:

• Preferred regimen (1): Cefepime 2 g q8–12 h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (2): Ceftazidime 2 g q8h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (3): Ciprofloxacin 400 mg q12h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (4): Levofloxacin 750 mg q24h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Note: Antimicrobial therapy of established infection should be limited to 4–7 days, unless it is difficult to achieve adequate source control. Longer durations of therapy have not been associated with improved outcome.

• 2. Health Care–Associated Complicated Intra-abdominal Infection ^[1]

• 2.1. Less than 20% Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Extended-spectrum B-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter, or other multidrug resistant gram-negative bacilli:

• Preferred regimen (1): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h AND Metronidazole 500 mg q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (2): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV 6 h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (3): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV every 8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (4): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Cefepime 2 g IV q8–12 h AND Metronidazole 500 mg q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (5): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Cefepime 2 g IV q8–12 h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h
• Preferred regimen (6): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Cefepime 2 g IV q8–12 h AND Metronidazole 500 mg IV q8–12 h or 1500 mg q24h

• 2.2. Extended-spectrum B-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae:

• Preferred regimen (1): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Gentamicin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (2): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Tobramycin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (3): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Amikacin 15–20 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (4): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Gentamicin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (5): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Tobramycin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (6): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Amikacin 15–20 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (7): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Gentamicin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (8): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Tobramycin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (9): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Amikacin 15–20 mg/kg IV q24h

• 2.3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa with more than 20% resistant to ceftazidime:

• Preferred regimen (1): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Gentamicin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (2): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Tobramycin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (3): Meropenem 1 g IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Amikacin 15–20 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (4): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Gentamicin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (5): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Tobramycin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (6): Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV q6h OR 1 g q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Amikacin 15–20 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (7): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Gentamicin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (8): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Tobramycin 5–7 mg/kg IV q24h
• Preferred regimen (9): Doripenem 500 mg IV q8h AND Piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g IV q6h AND Amikacin 15–20 mg/kg IV q24h

• 2.4.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA):

• Preferred regimen: Vancomycin 15–20 mg/kg IV q8–12 h
• Note: Antimicrobial therapy of established infection should be limited to 4–7 days, unless it is difficult to achieve adequate source control. Longer durations of therapy have not been associated with improved outcome.

• 3. Community-acquired infection in pediatric patients

• 3.1. Single agent:

• Preferred regimen (1): Ertapenem 3 months to 12 years 15 mg/kg bid (not to exceed 1 g/day) Every 12 h, older than 13 years 1 g/day Every 24 h OR
• Preferred regimen (2): Meropenem 60 mg/kg/day q8h
• Preferred regimen (3): Imipenem-cilastatin 60–100 mg/kg/day IV q6h
• Preferred regimen (4): Ticarcillin-clavulanate 200–300 mg/kg/day IV of Ticarcillin component q4–6 h
• Preferred regimen (5): Piperacillin-tazobactam 200–300 mg/kg/day IV of Piperacillin component q6–8 h

• 3.2.Combination:

• Preferred regimen (1): Ceftriaxone 50–75 mg/kg/day q12–24 h, AND Metronidazole 30–40 mg/kg/day q8h
• Preferred regimen (2): Cefotaxime 150–200 mg/kg/day q6–8 h, AND Metronidazole 30–40 mg/kg/day q8h
• Preferred regimen (3): Cefepime 100 mg/kg/day q12h, AND Metronidazole 30–40 mg/kg/day q8h
• Preferred regimen (4): Ceftazidime 150 mg/kg/day q8 h, AND Metronidazole 30–40 mg/kg/day q8h
• Preferred regimen (5): Gentamicin 3–7.5 mg/kg/day q2–4 h, AND Metronidazole 30–40 mg/kg/day q8h ± Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day q6h
• Preferred regimen (6): Gentamicin 3–7.5 mg/kg/day q2–4 h, AND Clindamycin 20–40 mg/kg/day q6–8 h ± Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day q6h
• Preferred regimen (7): Tobramycin 3.0–7.5 mg/kg/day q8–24 h, AND Metronidazole 30–40 mg/kg/day q8h ± Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day q6h
• Preferred regimen (8): Tobramycin 3.0–7.5 mg/kg/day q8–24 h, AND Clindamycin 20–40 mg/kg/day q6–8 h ± Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day q6h
• Note: Antimicrobial therapy of established infection should be limited to 4–7 days, unless it is difficult to achieve adequate source control. Longer durations of therapy have not been associated with improved outcome.

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