Adult

Intra-Abdominal Infection

  • Community-acquired or early hospital acquired including:
    • Cholecystitis/ascending cholangitis
    • Diverticulitis
    • Gangrenous/perforated appendicitis
    • Penetrating abdominal trauma
    • Post-op peritonitis 
  • For cases with foreign body or immunosuppression or perforated GI tract or complex cases, discuss with Micro/ID
  • For intra-abdominal sepsis see sepsis unknown origin guideline

Treat for 3-7 days (review iv daily). Typically 3-4 days after adequate source control are sufficient for most indications.

Preferred

co-amoxiclav  1.2g iv tds

Oral switch: co-amoxiclav 625mg po tds

If adequate source control is not feasible or delayed, or anaerobic organism isolated: ADD metronidazole 400mg po tds (or 500mg iv tds only if NBM)

Alternative

For penicillin allergy (non-severe or severe) OR MRSA positive: 

co-trimoxazole 960mg po bd (iv only if NBM) 

If adequate source control is not feasible or delayed, or anaerobic organism isolated: ADD  metronidazole  400mg po tds (or 500mg iv tds)

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01 Mar 2025