Reference · Treatment
Every MRSA Antibiotic Listed and Described
MRSA resists the ordinary beta-lactams, so treatment relies on a defined group of antibiotics. Each entry below links to a full page covering the mechanism, dose regime, how the drug was developed, side effects and its other uses.
Written by David Roberts, editor · Updated
Checked against current CDC and IDSA guidance. Not medically reviewed. How we source this
Every drug used for MRSA
| Drug | Route | Main role in MRSA |
|---|---|---|
| Vancomycin Vancocin | Intravenous (oral capsules only for gut C. difficile) | The long-standing first-line intravenous antibiotic for serious MRSA infection, including bloodstream infection and endocarditis. |
| Daptomycin Cubicin | Intravenous | A rapidly bactericidal lipopeptide used for MRSA bloodstream infection, right-sided endocarditis and complicated skin infection — but never for pneumonia. |
| Linezolid Zyvox, Zyvoxid | Oral and intravenous (identical dosing) | An oxazolidinone with complete oral absorption and excellent lung penetration, widely used for MRSA pneumonia and refractory skin infection. |
| Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole Bactrim, Septrin, co-trimoxazole | Oral (intravenous available) | A cheap, widely available oral combination that is a first-line choice for community-acquired MRSA skin infection and abscess. |
| Doxycycline Vibramycin, Doxylar | Oral (intravenous available) | A tetracycline taken by mouth that reliably covers community-acquired MRSA skin infection and is well suited to outpatient treatment. |
| Clindamycin Dalacin C, Cleocin | Oral, intravenous and topical | A lincosamide that suppresses staphylococcal toxin production, useful in paediatric MRSA and in necrotising soft-tissue infection. |
| Ceftaroline Teflaro, Zinforo | Intravenous | The cephalosporin that binds PBP2a — a beta-lactam that actually works against MRSA, often used as salvage therapy in persistent bacteraemia. |
| Dalbavancin Dalvance, Xydalba | Intravenous | A long-acting lipoglycopeptide that can treat MRSA skin infection with a single infusion, avoiding a hospital stay or a long line. |
| Oritavancin Orbactiv, Kimyrsa | Intravenous | A single-dose lipoglycopeptide for acute MRSA skin infection, with three separate mechanisms of killing. |
| Teicoplanin Targocid | Intravenous and intramuscular | A once-daily glycopeptide used widely outside the United States as a more convenient, less nephrotoxic alternative to vancomycin. |
| Tedizolid Sivextro | Oral and intravenous | A second-generation oxazolidinone: once daily, a shorter course than linezolid, and less effect on blood counts. |
| Rifampin (rifampicin) Rifadin, Rimactane | Oral and intravenous — always in combination | Never used alone for MRSA, but added to other agents for infection on prosthetic material and bone because it kills bacteria inside biofilm. |
Doses shown across these pages are typical adult regimens for reference only. Prescribing decisions are made by a clinician using local guidance and susceptibility results.
Does this antibiotic cover MRSA?
One of the most common questions after a prescription is whether the drug in the packet actually works against MRSA. This table gives the short answer; the culture and susceptibility result for your own sample always overrides a general rule.
| Antibiotic | Covers MRSA? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Doxycycline | Yes — usually | Active against most community-associated MRSA and widely used for uncomplicated skin infections. Not used alone for bloodstream infection. |
| Bactrim / co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) | Yes — usually | One of the standard oral options for MRSA skin and soft-tissue infection. Resistance remains low in most regions. |
| Clindamycin | Sometimes | Depends on local resistance and on inducible resistance, which the lab checks with a D-test. Often chosen for children. |
| Vancomycin | Yes | The intravenous mainstay for serious MRSA infection, with blood-level monitoring. |
| Linezolid | Yes | Oral or IV, with excellent lung penetration. Reserved because of cost and blood/nerve side effects with prolonged use. |
| Cephalexin (Keflex) and other cephalosporins | No | Beta-lactams. MRSA is resistant by definition — the exception is ceftaroline, which was designed to bind the altered target. |
| Amoxicillin / amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) | No | Beta-lactams. No reliable MRSA activity, though they treat many other skin infections. |
| Flucloxacillin / dicloxacillin | No | The drugs of choice for MSSA, but ineffective against MRSA. |
| Azithromycin and other macrolides | Unreliable | Resistance is common. Not recommended as empirical MRSA therapy. |
| Ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones | No | Resistance develops rapidly during treatment. Not used for MRSA. |
Wondering whether treatment will work at all? See is MRSA curable?
Frequently asked questions
Does doxycycline cover MRSA?
Yes, in most cases. Doxycycline is active against the majority of community-associated MRSA strains and is a common oral choice for uncomplicated skin and soft-tissue infection. It is not used on its own for bloodstream infection, and it is avoided in young children and pregnancy.
Does Bactrim cover MRSA?
Yes. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, co-trimoxazole, TMP-SMX) is one of the standard oral antibiotics for MRSA skin infections, and resistance remains uncommon in most regions. It is not a first choice for streptococcal infection, so clinicians sometimes pair it with another drug when the cause is unclear.
Does clindamycin cover MRSA?
Sometimes. It depends on local resistance rates and on whether the isolate has inducible clindamycin resistance, which the laboratory detects with a D-test. Where it is active, clindamycin is a useful oral option and is often used in children.
Does cephalexin (Keflex) cover MRSA?
No. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin, part of the beta-lactam family that MRSA resists by definition. The one exception in that family is ceftaroline, a later-generation cephalosporin engineered to bind the altered penicillin-binding protein that makes MRSA resistant.
Does amoxicillin or Augmentin work on MRSA?
No. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate are beta-lactams with no reliable MRSA activity. They treat many other skin and respiratory infections, which is why a wound that fails to improve on them sometimes turns out to be MRSA.
What is the strongest antibiotic for MRSA?
There is no single strongest drug. Vancomycin remains the intravenous reference treatment for serious infection; daptomycin and linezolid are used when vancomycin fails or cannot be given; ceftaroline and the long-acting lipoglycopeptides cover specific situations. The right choice depends on the site of infection and the susceptibility result.
References
- Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of MRSA infections (2011)
- American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin for serious MRSA infections: revised consensus guideline (2020)
Treatment hub
How MRSA treatment is chosen by site and severity.
Skin & soft-tissue infection
Drainage first, then which oral antibiotics and for how long.
Invasive wound infection
Surgical and traumatic wounds, debridement and source control.
Bloodstream infection
Bacteraemia and endocarditis, source control and duration.
Decolonisation
Mupirocin and chlorhexidine protocols to clear carriage.
Is MRSA curable?
Cure rates, recovery timelines and why MRSA comes back.