From the Guidelines
Vancomycin or Linezolid are commonly used antibiotics for treating Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) abscesses.
Treatment Options
- For outpatients with MRSA abscesses, oral antibiotic options include:
- Clindamycin
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
- A tetracycline (doxycycline or minocycline)
- Linezolid
- For hospitalized patients with complicated MRSA abscesses, intravenous antibiotic options include:
- Vancomycin
- Linezolid
- Daptomycin
- Telavancin
- Ceftaroline
Dosage and Administration
- Vancomycin: 30 mg/kg/d in 2 divided doses IV 1
- Linezolid: 600 mg every 12 h IV or 600 mg bid po 1
- Clindamycin: 600 mg every 8 h IV or 300–450 mg qid po 1
- TMP-SMX: 1–2 double-strength tablets bid po 1
- Doxycycline: 100 mg bid po 1
Duration of Therapy
- Seven to 14 days of therapy is recommended but should be individualized on the basis of the patient’s clinical response 1 These recommendations are based on guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 1 and the World Journal of Emergency Surgery 1.
From the Research
Antibiotic Treatment for MRSA Abscess
- The treatment of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) abscesses often involves antibiotics, with the choice of antibiotic depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's overall health 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- For less severe MRSA infections, such as skin and soft tissue infections, oral antibiotics like linezolid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), and tetracyclines may be effective 3, 4, 5.
- However, for more severe MRSA infections, including those that are multi-resistant, parenteral vancomycin or other antibiotics like daptomycin, linezolid, or quinupristin/dalfopristin may be necessary 2, 4, 6.
- It's worth noting that the emergence of resistance to various antibiotics is a significant concern in the treatment of MRSA infections, and the choice of antibiotic should be guided by local resistance patterns and the results of susceptibility testing 2, 4, 5, 6.
Specific Antibiotics for MRSA Abscess
- Vancomycin is often considered the standard treatment for severe MRSA infections, including abscesses 2, 4, 6.
- Linezolid has been shown to be effective in treating MRSA skin and soft tissue infections, including abscesses 3, 5.
- TMP-SMX and tetracyclines may also be effective in treating less severe MRSA infections, including abscesses 3, 5.
- Daptomycin and quinupristin/dalfopristin are other antibiotics that may be used to treat severe MRSA infections, including abscesses 2, 4, 6.