Suspected meningococcal disease prior to admission into secondary care (Antimicrobial)

Warning

For glossary of terms see Glossary.

Drug details

IV or IM Benzylpenicillin

Adults and children 10 years and over: 1200mg
Children 1 to 9 years: 600mg
Children ​under 1 year: 300mg

Give IM if vein cannot be found

OR IV or IM Ceftriaxone

Adults and children 50kg and over: 2 grams
Child under 50kg: 80mg/kg

Give IM if vein cannot be found

OR IV or IM Cefotaxime

Adults: 2 gram
Children 12 to 17 years: 1 gram
Children 1 month to 11 years: 50mg/kg

Give IM if vein cannot be found

Administer intramuscular doses above 1 gram over more than one site 

Penicillin/cephalosporin anaphylaxis

Await admission to hospital before administering antibiotics - contact infection specialist.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 27/08/2020

Next review date: 27/08/2023

Author(s): Antimicrobial management team.

Approved By: TAM Subgroup of ADTC

Reviewer name(s): Alison Macdonald, Area Antimicrobial Pharmacist.

Document Id: AMT144