special characteristics of antibiotics

cephalosporins

• sister antibiotic to penicillin

• may produce cross sensitive allergic reaction to penicillin

• cefotetan - increased risk of bleeding

  • disulfiram - alcohol reaction (diaphoresis, nausea, tachycardia, palpations, hypotension, flushing of face)

• thrombophlebitis

monobactams

• not a good backup for penicillin sensitive bacteria

carbapenems

• used to treat serious infections with multiple bacteria

• IM and IV routes only

• imipenem cilastatin - added to increase half life of drug

vancomycin

• if given IV can cause cdiff

• if given PO can treat cdiff

• adverse affects

  • renal failure (monitor frequent trough levels)

• rapid infusion - red man syndrome

• ototoxicity

• thrombophlebitis

• not compatible with other IV antibiotics - need separate IV line