Table 2 Comparison of recommended initial empiric therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) according to time of onset [1], [34], [41]

Second or third generation cephalosporin: e. g., ceftriaxone: 2 g daily;

Cephalosporin

cefuroxime: 1.5 g every 8 hours;

e. g., cefepime: 1-2 g every 8 hours;

cefotaxime: 2 g every 8 hours

ceftazidime 2 g every 8 hours

OR

OR

Fluoroquinolones

Carbepenem

e. g., levofloxacin: 750 mg daily;

e. g., imipenem + cilastin: 500 mg every 6 hours or 1 g every 8 hours;

moxifloxacin: 400 mg daily

meropenem: 1 g every 8 hours

OR

OR

Aminopenicillin + beta-lactamase inhibitor e. g., ampicillin + sulbactam: 3 g

Beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor

every 8 hours

e. g., piperacillin + tazobactam: 4.5 g every 6 hours

OR

PLUS

Ertapenem

Aminoglycoside

1 g daily

e. g., amikacin: 20 mg/kg/day;

gentamicin: 7 mg/kg/day;

tobramycin: 7 mg/kg/day

OR

Antipseudomonal fluoroquinolone

e. g., ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 8 hours;

levofloxacin 750 mg daily

PLUS

Coverage for MRSA

e. g., vancomycin: 15 mg/kg every 12 hours

OR

linezolid: 600 mg every 12 hours