Therapy

• acutely confused
• immunocompromised
• critically ill
• requiring intropic or respiratory support
• septicaemic
• unable to tolerate oral medication
• pregnant or lactating

Uncomplicated cases can have oral antibiotics ^a

Why?

• Oral co-amoxiclav is as effective as intravenous co-amoxiclav, and more effective than iv cephalosporins for uncomplicated cases ^a

Oral co-amoxiclav cures more patients with uncomplicated cases than intravenous cephalosporins

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	RRR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
uncomplicated pneumonia a	oral co-amoxiclav	cefotaxime iv, then cefuroxine orally	cure or partial cure at 10 weeks	68%	15% (1% to 31%)	10 (5 to 82)