Antibiotics

Antibiotics

Treat bacterial infections by killing or weakening the bacteria. They work by slowing down the growth of bacteria.

Penicillins

Most common class of antibiotics, associated with upset stomach, diarrhea, rash, and allergic reactions.

Amoxicillin

Amoxil, Trimox; forms include cap, suspension, tab, chew; treats upper respiratory, sinus, ear infections in children and adults.

Amoxicillin/Clavulanate

Augmentin; forms include suspension, tab, chew, XR; treats upper respiratory, sinus, ear infections in children and adults.

Ampicillin

Omnipen; parenteral form; treats infections via capsule and injection.

Ampicillin/Sulbactam

Unasyn; parenteral (IM, IV) injection; used in hospitals to treat traditional penicillin resistant infections.

Nafcillin

Unipen; parenteral injection; used in hospitals to treat traditional penicillin resistant infections.

Penicillin V Potassium

Pen VK, Veetids; forms include solution and tablet; most common penicillin.

Piperacillin/Tazobactam

Zosyn; parenteral injection.

Cephalosporins

Related to penicillins; treat respiratory infections, pneumonia, and dental infections.

Cefazolin

Ancef; parenteral injection; common cephalosporin.

Cefdinir

Omnicef; oral form; available as capsule and suspension.

Cefepime

Maxipime; parenteral injection; contraindicated in penicillin or beta-lactam hypersensitivity.

Cefixime

Suprax; oral form; available as powder suspension and tablet.

Ceftazidime

Fortaz/Tazicef; parenteral injection; common cephalosporin.

Ceftriaxone

Rocephin; parenteral (IM, IV) injection; contraindicated with elevated bilirubin and calcium containing IV products.

Cephalexin

Keflex; oral form; available as capsule, suspension, tab; common cephalosporin.

Macrolides

Stop bacteria from making their own proteins; associated with side effects such as upset stomach and nausea.

Azithromycin

Zithromax, Z-Pak; oral and parenteral forms; treats upper respiratory infection; 5-day course.

Clarithromycin

Biaxin; oral form; contraindicated in liver dysfunction and QT prolongation.

Erythromycin

Ery-Tab; oral form; associated with liver toxicity and jaundice.

Fluoroquinolones

Inhibits replication; treats pneumonia, respiratory infections, UTI; should not be taken with dairy or antacids.

Ciprofloxacin

Cipro - oral, parenteral - suspension, tab, injection - interact with diabetes medication - CI concurrent administration of tizanidine

Levofloxacin

Levaquin - oral, ophthalmic(transmucosal), parenteral - oral solution, tab, injection, eye drops - interact with diabetes medication

Moxifloxacin

Avelox, Vigamox - oral, ophthalmic(transmucosal) - tab, eye drops

Ofloxacin

Floxin - oral, ophthalmic/otic(transmucosal)- tab, eye drops, ear

Side Effects of Fluoroquinolones

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, bitter taste

Contraindications for Fluoroquinolones

Do not use if pregnant.

Tetracyclines

Do not take if pregnant, nursing, or under 12, do not take at same time as dairy, antacids, iron, calcium. Avoid sun exposure, more prone to burn (-CYCLINE)

Doxycycline

Vibramycin - oral, parenteral - capsule, susp, tab, injection - treats acne, chronic bronchitis, bacterial infections

Minocycline

Minocin - oral, parenteral - cap, injection

Tetracycline

Sumycin - oral - capsule

Side Effects of Tetracyclines

Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, take with plenty of water on empty stomach, tooth discoloration

Contraindications for Tetracyclines

Hypersensitivity to one, hypersensitivity to all

Clindamycin

Cleocin - oral, parenteral - cap, injection - used for dental infection, treat anaerobic bacteria (cavities) if allergic to penicillin, post surg anaerobic infections, acne

Ertapenem

Invanz - parenteral (IV,IM) - injection - treat community acquired pneumonia, UTIs, intra abdominal infections

Meropenem

Merrem - parenteral - injection - treat community acquired pneumonia, UTIs, intra abdominal infections

Gentamicin

Garamycin, Gentak - parenteral - injection - paired with other antibiotics, kidney function must be monitored, at toxic levels hearing loss may occur

Linezolid

Zyvox - oral, parenteral - susp, tab, injection - treatment of multidrug resistant bacteria like MRSA - side effects include thrush, abdominal discomfort- SE: headache, anemia, optic neuropathy, diarrhea, decreased hemoglobin, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia - CI: MAOIs

Metronidazole

Flagyl - oral, parenteral - cap, tab, injection - 5-7 days, used for vaginal infections, post surg anaerobic infections, acne - do not use with alcohol, wait 72 hours - SE: headache, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, ab cramps, metallic taste, urine discoloration. Take with food - CI: nitroimidazole derivatives, 1st trimester of pregnancy, disulfiram, alcohol

Vancomycin

Vancocin - oral, parenteral - capsule, solution, injection - used to treat methicillin resistant MRSA, hard to treat infections, kidney function must be monitored - SE: nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, red man syndrome

Sulfamethoxazole

Bactrim, Septra - oral, parenteral - suspension, tab, injection - used to treat UTIs, skin and soft tissue infections, ear infections, caution with blood thinners (warfarin) - take with lots of water and food, use sunscreen, no alcohol

Side Effects of Sulfonamides

Rash, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, anemia

Contraindications for Sulfonamides

Drug induced immune thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anemia, pregnancy