Protected Antimicrobials

Any prescriber is authorised to use the following antimicrobials for the listed indications.

Use outwith the listed indications, or where no specific indications are listed, should only be on recommendation of a Microbiology/Infectious Disease specialist.

All use is subject to licensing and SMC restrictions where these are in place.

Protected Antibacterial and Antiviral agents

Drug Indications
Amikacin

Nebulised - on advice of a respiratory or infection specialist for treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung infections caused by M. avium complex in adults with limited treatment options who do not have cystic fibrosis.

Aztreonam N/A
Cefazolin N/A
Cefiderocol N/A
Ceftazidime

1. Empirical treatment of CAPD peritonitis

2. Exacerbation of COPD/bronchiectasis in patients colonised with susceptible P. aeruginosa or resistant gram negative organisms

Ceftazidime/avibactam (Zavicefta®)

N/A

Ceftolozane/tazobactam (Zerbaxa®) N/A
Ceftriaxone

1. Suspected or proven bacterial CNS infection

2. Pelvic inflammatory disease/tubo-ovarian abscess

3. Uncomplicated gonorrhoea

4. Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections on cellulitis OPAT pathway

Cefuroxime Surgical prophylaxis as per NHS Ayrshire & Arran guideline
Chloramphenicol (IV or oral)
Suspected meningitis in penicillin anaphylaxis
Ciprofloxacin (IV only)

1. Neutropenic sepsis in patients with anaphylaxis to penicillins

2. Indication in line with Empirical Antimicrobial Policy, but oral route compromised

Clindamycin

1. Diabetic foot infection on advice of Consultant Diabetologist

2. Pelvic-inflammatory disease and tubo-ovarian abscess in patients with anaphylaxis to penicillins

3. Suspected chorioamnionitis with Group B strep (GBS) prophylaxis in patients with anaphylaxis to penicillins

4. Treatment of necrotising fasciitis

Colistin

N/A

Dalbavancin

For restricted indication in adult lower limb cellulitis OPAT pathway (see AthenA protocol)

Daptomycin

N/A

Ertapenem

N/A

Fidaxomicin

Second line treatment of C. difficile infection or 1st recurrence of C. difficile infection in line with Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group treatment guidance

Foscarnet

N/A

Fosfomycin (IV only)

N/A

Imipenem (+ cilastatin)

N/A

Linezolid

Initial treatment of streptococcal bacteraemia in patients with known vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

Meropenem

1. Initial treatment of sepsis in patients known to be colonised with ESBL-producing organisms

2. Treatment of infections caused by gram negative organisms with no other reported susceptibility

3. Initial treatment of necrotising fasciitis in patients known to be colonised with ESBL-producing organisms

Meropenem/vaborbactam

N/A

Oritavancin

N/A

Piperacillin/tazobactam

1. First line treatment of febrile neutropenia in line with policy

2. Empirical substitution of gentamicin as per 'IV Gentamicin Review after 72 hours of Treatment' algorithm (N.B. links within the document are only active if accessing via NHS network)

Pentamidine

N/A

Tedizolid

N/A

Teicoplanin

For surgical prophylaxis as per NHS Ayrshire & Arran guideline

Temocillin

1. Empirical treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)

2. Meropenem-sparing option for treatment of infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms with no other reported susceptibilities

3. Empirical substitution of Gentamicin in eGFR <20ml/hour or as per 'IV Gentamicin Review after 72 hours of Treatment' algorithm (N.B. links within the document are only active if accessing via NHS network)

4. Empirical substitution of gentamicin in patients with decompensated liver disease

5. Treatment of HAP in patients with contra-indications to co-trimoxazole or gentamicin

Ticarcillin/clavulanate

N/A

Tigecycline

N/A

Tobramycin

N/A

 

Protected Antifungals

Drug Indications
Amphotericin B liposomal (AmBisome®)

As per haemato-oncology unit protocols

Anidulafungin N/A
Caspofungin As per haemato-oncology unit protocols
Flucytosine N/A
Isavuconazole
N/A
Itraconazole

1. As per haemato-oncology unit protocols

2. Treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis on respiratory specialist advice

3. Severe fungal nail infection

Micafungin
N/A
Posaconazole
As per haemato-oncology unit protocols
Voriconazole
As per haemato-oncology unit protocols

 

 

Page last updated: February 2024



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