Mild pneumonia in otherwise healthy people with no risk factors*
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Doxycycline
Drugs are taken by mouth.
People are treated at home.
Mild pneumonia in people with risk factors*
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin plus clavulanate
Azithromycin
Cefpodoxime
Cefuroxime
Clarithromycin
Doxycycline
Levofloxacin
Moxifloxacin
Drugs are usually taken by mouth.
Often, more than one drug is taken.
People are treated at home.
Moderate pneumonia
or
Pneumonia in people who cannot care for themselves
Azithromycin
Cefotaxime
Ceftriaxone
Levofloxacin
Moxifloxacin
Drugs are usually given intravenously in a hospital.
Often, more than one drug is given.
Severe pneumonia in people with many risk factors*
Some of the same drugs used for moderate pneumonia
Aztreonam
Cefepime
Ciprofloxacin
Imipenem plus cilastatin
Meropenem
Piperacillin plus tazobactam
Drugs are usually given intravenously in an intensive care unit.
Usually, more than one drug is given.
*Risk factors include heart or lung disorders, cancer, alcoholism, age older than 65, recent use of antibiotics, and a weakened immune system (for example, because of AIDS, organ transplantation, or use of drugs that suppress the immune system).
