Meningitis
Antibiotics and treatments for meningitis and brain infections
Antifungal
Fights fungal infections in the body
Amphotericin B
PrescriptionSerious fungal infections of the blood, brain, lungs, or other organs, cryptococcal meningitis (a dangerous fungal infection of the brain common in people living with HIV), severe oral or throat thrush that does not respond to other treatments, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis
Fluconazole
PrescriptionVaginal yeast infection (toilet infection), oral thrush (white patches in the mouth), skin fungal infections like ringworm, fungal infections of the blood and organs, cryptococcal meningitis (a serious brain infection common in people with HIV)
Antibiotic
Penicillin-type
Antibiotic
Penicillin combination
Antibiotic
Penicillin
Benzylpenicillin sodium
PrescriptionSerious bacterial infections like pneumonia, meningitis (brain infection), septicaemia (blood infection), throat infections, wound infections, sexually transmitted infections like syphilis and gonorrhoea, tetanus, and skin infections
Crystalline Penicillin
PrescriptionSerious infections like pneumonia, meningitis (infection of the brain covering), blood infection (sepsis), throat infection, wound infection, heart valve infection, tetanus, and other severe bacterial infections
Procaine Benzylpenicillin
PrescriptionSyphilis, gonorrhea, chest infections (pneumonia), skin infections, sore throat from bacteria, wound infections, yaws
Procaine Benzylpenicillin; Benzylpenicillin Sodium
PrescriptionSerious bacterial infections, pneumonia, sexually transmitted infections like syphilis and gonorrhoea, skin infections, wound infections, throat infections, ear infections, chest infections
Antibiotic
Fourth-generation Cephalosporin
Antibiotic
Third-generation Cephalosporin
Cefotaxime
PrescriptionSevere typhoid, serious blood infections (sepsis), meningitis (brain infection), pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bone and joint infections, serious skin infections, infections after surgery, gonorrhea
Ceftazidime
PrescriptionSevere typhoid, serious chest infections (pneumonia), urinary tract infections (UTI), blood infections (sepsis), bone infections, meningitis (brain infection), severe skin infections, hospital-acquired infections
Ceftriaxone
PrescriptionTyphoid fever, serious body infections, meningitis (brain infection), pneumonia (chest infection), urinary tract infections (UTI), sepsis (blood infection), gonorrhea, bone and joint infections, skin infections
Antibiotic
Cephalosporin + Beta-lactamase inhibitor
Ceftriaxone; Sulbactam
PrescriptionSevere typhoid, serious chest infections (pneumonia), urinary tract infections (UTI), blood infections (sepsis), bone and joint infections, skin infections, abdominal infections, meningitis, infections after surgery
Ceftriaxone; Tazobactam
PrescriptionSevere typhoid, serious urinary tract infections (UTI), pneumonia, blood infections (sepsis), skin and wound infections, abdominal infections, infections after surgery, meningitis
Ceftriaxone and Sulbactam
PrescriptionSevere typhoid, serious body infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTI), blood infections (sepsis), skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, meningitis, infections after surgery
Antibiotic with Local Anaesthetic
Cephalosporin
Antibiotic
Kills bacteria that cause infections
Chloramphenicol
PrescriptionTyphoid fever, serious bacterial infections, eye infections (apollo/conjunctivitis), ear infections, skin infections
Chloramphenicol Palmitate
PrescriptionTyphoid fever, serious bacterial infections, bacterial meningitis (brain infection), bacterial eye infections, severe chest infections that other antibiotics cannot treat
Corticosteroid
steroid anti-inflammatory
Corticosteroid and Antibiotic combination
eye preparation
Dexamethasone; Tobramycin
PrescriptionEye infections with swelling, red eye (apollo) with bacterial infection, eye inflammation after surgery, conjunctivitis caused by bacteria
Dexamethasone; Neomycin
PrescriptionEye infections with inflammation, red and swollen eyes from bacterial infection, eye inflammation after surgery, conjunctivitis (apollo) with bacterial infection
Corticosteroid
anti-inflammatory steroid
Corticosteroid and Antibiotic combination
Reduces swelling and fights infections
Anti-tuberculosis
combination antibiotic
Vaccine
Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Meningococcal A Polysaccharide
PrescriptionPrevention of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) caused by meningococcal group A bacteria — the type that causes the deadly meningitis outbreaks common in northern Nigeria and the African meningitis belt
Meningococcal ACWY polysaccharide vaccine
PrescriptionPrevention of meningitis (brain fever), prevention of meningococcal blood infections, protection before travelling to meningitis-prone areas like Northern Nigeria or Saudi Arabia for Hajj/Umrah
Vaccine
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
Meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccine
PrescriptionPrevention of meningitis (brain fever), prevention of blood poisoning (septicaemia) caused by meningococcal bacteria — especially important during meningitis outbreaks common in northern Nigeria and the 'meningitis belt'
Meningococcal ACWYX conjugate vaccine
PrescriptionPrevention of meningitis (brain fever), prevention of meningococcal blood infection (sepsis), especially important during meningitis outbreaks common in northern Nigeria and the African meningitis belt
When to see a doctor
Seek care if you notice any of the following
- If you have a stiff neck that does not go away with movement, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
- If you experience severe headache that is worse when you sit up or stand up, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
- If you have a fever that lasts for more than 3 days or is very high (over 38°C), go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.
- If you have difficulty speaking, confusion, or trouble understanding what people are saying, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
- If you have a rash or spots that appear on your skin, especially if they are red, swollen, or painful, go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.
For guidance only — always consult a qualified healthcare provider.