Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis medical therapy

Antibiotics
After confirmation of SBP, patients need hospital admission for intravenous antibiotics (most often cefotaxime given as 1gm/12hours for 5 days or ceftriaxone). They will often also receive intravenous albumin. A repeat paracentesis in 48 hours is sometimes performed to ensure control of infection. Once patients have recovered from SBP, they require regular prophylactic antibiotics (e.g. Septra DS, Cipro, norfloxicin) as long as they still have ascites.

Intravenous albumin
A randomized controlled trial found that intravenous albumin on the day of admission and on hospital day 3 can reduce renal impairment.