Cloxacillin-susceptible isolates can be considered susceptible to cephalosporins and penicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations.
Optimal antibiotics:
- ceFAZolin (preferred) and cloxacillin are optimal agents for intravenous therapy for severe MSSA infections.
- Cephalexin or cefadroxil are preferred agents when oral therapy is appropriate (e.g., uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections).
- Vancomycin should ONLY be used if a beta-lactam cannot be used, higher mortality than beta-lactams.
Please Note:
- Second and third generation cephalosporins (e.g., cefuroxime, cefixime, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and cefTRIAXone) have limited activity against MSSA.
- Once S. aureus is confirmed, these agents are NOT adequate for serious S. aureus infections.
Variable susceptibility to:
- TMP-SMX
- Tetracyclines
- Clindamycin
- Check local antibiogram
Do not use empirically or to treat serious infections.