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Medications for Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection which causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Non-bacterial meningitis is often referred to as "aseptic meningitis." Bacterial meningitis may be referred to as "purulent meningitis."

Drugs used to treat Meningitis

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
ceftriaxone Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
ceftriaxone systemic
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
vancomycin 7.0 1 review for vancomycin to treat Meningitis
Rx C N
Generic name:
vancomycin systemic
Brand names:
Vancocin, Vancocin HCl, Vancocin HCl Pulvules
Drug class:
glycopeptide antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
meropenem 10 1 review for meropenem to treat Meningitis
Rx B N
Generic name:
meropenem systemic
Brand name:
Merrem
Drug class:
carbapenems
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Bactrim 1.0 1 review for Bactrim to treat Meningitis
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cefotaxime Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefotaxime systemic
Brand name:
Claforan
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim 1.0 1 review for sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim to treat Meningitis
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Brand names:
Bactrim, Co-trimoxazole, Septra DS, Septra, Sulfatrim Pediatric
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
metronidazole Rate Add review
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Brand names:
Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl IV, Likmez
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ampicillin 10 1 review for ampicillin to treat Meningitis
Rx B N
Generic name:
ampicillin systemic
Drug class:
aminopenicillins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Flagyl Rate Add review
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
rifampin Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
rifampin systemic
Brand names:
Rifadin, Rifadin IV, Rimactane
Drug class:
rifamycin derivatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
amikacin Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
amikacin systemic
Brand names:
Amikin, Amikin Pediatric
Drug class:
aminoglycosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
cefuroxime Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefuroxime systemic
Brand names:
Ceftin, Zinacef
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
chloramphenicol Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
chloramphenicol systemic
Brand names:
Chloromycetin, Chloromycetin Sodium Succinate
Drug class:
miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ceftazidime Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
ceftazidime systemic
Brand names:
Fortaz, Tazicef
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Ceftin Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefuroxime systemic
Drug class:
second generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
gentamicin Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
gentamicin systemic
Brand name:
Garamycin
Drug class:
aminoglycosides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
triamcinolone Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
triamcinolone systemic
Brand names:
Kenalog-40, Clinacort
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Vancocin 7.0 1 review for Vancocin to treat Meningitis
Rx C N
Generic name:
vancomycin systemic
Drug class:
glycopeptide antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Flagyl 375 Rate Add review
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Flagyl IV Rate Add review
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Claforan Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
cefotaxime systemic
Drug class:
third generation cephalosporins
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Co-trimoxazole Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Kenalog-40 Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
triamcinolone systemic
Drug class:
glucocorticoids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Likmez Rate Add review
Rx B N X
Generic name:
metronidazole systemic
Drug class:
amebicides, miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Septra DS Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

Topics under Meningitis

Learn more about Meningitis

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.