Upper GI bleeding in patient with cirrhosis including variceal bleeding

Prophylactic antibiotic therapy should be offered at presentation to patients with suspected or confirmed variceal bleeding (NICE CG141)

Prescribe using the EPR decompensated liver disease powerplan

Open all

co-trimoxazole 960mg iv bd for 72 hours

Caution in AKI or hyperkalaemia

Including penicillin allergy (non-severe):  ceftriaxone 1g iv od for 72 hours

Penicillin allergy (severe): Discuss with Micro/ID

Next review date: 01 Jun 2028

Author(s): AMST.

Approved By: MMTC

Preferred including penicillin allergy (non-severe or severe) or MRSA