Empirical antibiotic therapy for infective endocarditis is:

b. If the causative organism is not known empirical therapy is as follows:

• Intravenous benzylpenicillin and gentamycin unless staphylococcal infection is suspected when vancomycin is substituted for penicillin.

• Vancomycin and gentamycin if patient is allergic to penicillin.