Medications to treat infections of ascitic fluid

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Medications to treat infections of ascitic fluid

People who have fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) caused by cirrhosis are at high risk of developing infections of this fluid. Most people who develop these infections have long-term (chronic) cirrhosis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the most common ascitic infection caused by bacteria.

SBP infection can be successfully treated with antibiotics, such as cefotaxime sodium (Claforan), that kill bacteria usually found in the intestinal tract. Your doctor may perform a procedure called paracentesis to collect a sample of fluid from the abdomen. The fluid can be analyzed to determine which antibiotic will be most effective against the bacteria causing the infection.

Most people who are treated with antibiotics recover from the infection. After recovery, you must continue to take additional antibiotics to prevent the infection from recurring. You will take antibiotics for the rest of your life once you have had an infection of ascitic fluid.

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Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Maria Essig
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Steven L. Flamm, MD - Gastroenterology
Last Updated	January 25, 2008

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Last updated:	January 25, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Steven L. Flamm, MD - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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