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Meningitis - Medications

Medicines for meningitis are used to treat:

Bacterial infection.
Seizures.
Pressure on the brain.
Fever.
Muscle aches.

The decision about what medicine to use depends on the organism causing the infection, the extent of the infection, and the person's age and general health.

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Medication Choices

Antibiotics to treat bacterial infection

Medicines to treat seizures

Medicines to treat pressure on the brain

Medicines to treat fever and muscle aches. The most commonly used medicines are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Common side effects include nausea or upset stomach. Also, NSAIDs may cause ringing in the ears and blurred vision.

What To Think About

Your doctor will want to know which bacterium is causing your infection before prescribing antibiotics. A sample of spinal fluid or blood is tested to find out about the organism.

The type of antibiotic used and the length of treatment depend on the bacteria, the extent of the infection, your age, and how likely you are to develop severe meningitis or complications during illness. Often two antibiotics are given together.

Antibiotics are not given for viral meningitis.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 08, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.