Do you need antibiotics after splenectomy?

Most guidelines recommend an initial period of daily antibiotic use after splenectomy, and consideration for lifelong use based on risk for infection. In addition to the use of daily antibiotics, splenectomized individuals are recommended to carry their own supply of high-dose antibiotics in case of emergency.

How long do you take antibiotics after splenectomy?

Antibiotics are often prescribed to be taken daily for the first two years after you have had your spleen removed, some people may be advised to take them daily for life.

Why do we give penicillin after splenectomy?

Splenectomized patients are at risk of overwhelming infection and are advised to take life-long prophylactic oral penicillin.

What antibiotics are given after splenectomy?

Management of patients with asplenia with fever

Routine prophylaxis*
<3 y PCN VK 125 mg twice daily (or amoxicillin 10 mg/kg by mouth twice daily)
Adults with PCN allergy Cephalexin 250 mg by mouth twice daily
Azithromycin 250 mg by mouth once daily
Emergency antibiotics before ED arrival

What antibiotics cover encapsulated organisms?

The aim of medical therapy is to prevent invasive disease secondary to polysaccharide-encapsulated organisms, especially pneumococci. Penicillin and amoxicillin are currently the drugs of choice.

Is there an alternative to Phenoxymethylpenicillin?

Amoxicillin is as effective as phenoxymethylpenicillin but is better absorbed; however, it may encourage emergence of resistant organisms. Like phenoxymethylpenicillin, amoxicillin is ineffective against bacteria that produce beta-lactamases. Amoxicillin may be useful for short course oral regimens.

Which organism causes infection after splenectomy?

Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection is usually caused by the encapsulated bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis and more than half of those infected die.

Which is the commonest post-splenectomy infection?