Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for Eastern Health

Uncomplicated Cellulitis Duration of Therapy

Recommended Duration

7 days

Cellulitis Management

Shortest Duration

Minimum duration studied without evidence of reduced efficacy

5 days

Excluded Patients

Patients worsening on therapy or with uncontrolled source excluded

Additional Notes

  • Single published RCT on short duration for cellulitis used levofloxacin, and excluded patients with undrained abscesses and primary clinical failures (10%)

  • Duration recommendation is based on low quantity of evidence

  • Adapted from AMMI Canada Position Statement on the Appropriate Duration of Antimicrobial Therapy (2018)

More Information

References
  1. Hepburn M, Dooley D, Skidmore P, Comparison of Short-Course (5 Days) and Standard (10 Days) Treatment for Uncomplicated Cellulitis, 2004; Arch Intern Med 164(23):1669-74, 2004