COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing suspected or confirmed pneumonia in adults in the community – updated guidance (NG165)
NICE has updated its guidance to clarify the recommendations on antibiotic treatment for bacterial pneumonia in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source:
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
SPS commentary:
The guidance recommends doxycycline (total of five days) as the first-choice oral antibiotic (except in pregnant women), with amoxicillin as the alternative. It notes that doxycycline is preferred because it has a broader spectrum of cover than amoxicillin, particularly against Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, which are more likely to be secondary bacterial causes of pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic.