IV antibiotics for pneumonia: what to know

IV antibiotics for pneumonia are given into a vein when a bacterial infection needs prompt treatment or oral medicine cannot be used. A clinician chooses the medicine after considering your symptoms, examination, allergies, other medicines and how well your lungs and body are coping.

A small cannula is placed in a vein, usually in the hand or arm, and the antibiotic is delivered through it. The team may check your breathing, temperature, pulse, blood pressure and oxygen level while treatment is underway. IV treatment may later change to tablets when you can swallow, absorb and tolerate them, and your condition is improving.

Antibiotics target bacteria; they do not treat viral causes of pneumonia. The prescribed course should be followed exactly, even if you begin to feel better. Tell the team about a previous antibiotic reaction, kidney problems, pregnancy, or severe diarrhoea after antibiotics.

Take medicines only as directed and keep the cannula area clean and dry. Rest, take fluids if your clinician says they are suitable, and use breathing support exactly as shown. Report new rash, swelling, worsening diarrhoea, pain or redness around the cannula, or increasing breathlessness promptly. Do not share leftover antibiotics or stop treatment without advice.

Seek urgent medical help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, chest pain, or inability to stay awake. Contact the treating team promptly if fever or breathing symptoms worsen, you cannot keep fluids down, or you develop facial swelling or trouble breathing after a dose.

Ask which type of pneumonia is suspected, why IV medicine is preferred, how improvement will be assessed, when a change to tablets might be considered, and which side effects need immediate attention.