IMPORTANT UPDATE: Change to Cellulitis Management and POAC Funding in Auckland Region – effective 14 August 2025
From 14 August 2025, the management of cellulitis in the community will change in line with best practice guidelines and national recommendations from the Antimicrobial Stewardship Group.
This update is based on clinical evidence showing that once-daily IV antibiotics are not effective for most patients with cellulitis. Instead, high-dose oral antibiotics, with probenecid when indicated, provide equivalent antibiotic concentrations and clinical outcomes.
Key Changes to Clinical Care
• Once-daily IV antibiotics will no longer be recommended for community cellulitis management.
• First-line treatment for mild to moderately severe cellulitis is high-dose oral antibiotics (with probenecid where appropriate) – refer to the updated Auckland HealthPathways.
• If IV antibiotics are required, discuss with the hospital team – admission is recommended as appropriate dosing frequency cannot be provided in the community
• A grace period for funding will be applied during the transition.
• Refer to the POAC website for further information www.poac.co.nz/cellulitis