Antibiotics
Aminoglycosides are used for infections caused by gram negative aerobic bacilli, but are also effective against certain other infections such as Staphylococci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Gentamicin (generic version - IV only)
Amikacin (IV only)
Tobramycin
Gentak and Genoptic (eye drops)
Kanamycin
Streptomycin*
Neo-Fradin
Neomycin (generic version - IV only)
*ONLY for special cases, because of its effect on the 8th cranial nerve and kidney
Route: IM (intramuscular), IV (intravenous)
Onset: rapid
Peak: 30-90 mins
Duration: N/A
Half-life: 2-3 hours
Metabolism: liver
Excretion: kidneys/urine
known allergies
renal and/or hepatic disease
preexisting hearing loss
active herpes or mycobacterial infection → might be worsened by effects on defense mechanisms
myasthenia gravis or Parkinson’s disease → might be worsened by effects on the nervous system
lactation → any excretion into the breast milk can have serious complications for infants
ototoxicity (= toxicity to the ears)
irreversible deafness
vestibular paralysis
confusion and disorientation
depression
numbness, tingling, and weakness
renal failure
bone marrow depression → immunosuppression and resultant infections
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
weight loss
stomatitis (= inflammation of the mouth)
hepatotoxicity (= toxicity to the liver)
palpitations
excessively high/low BP (hyper-/hypotension)
purpura (= purplish spots caused by bleeding from blood vessels in the skin)
rash
urticaria (= hives)
exfoliative dermatitis
Carbapenems are effective against gram positive and negative bacteria, and are used for infections caused by serious strains that are resistant to other antibiotics such as:
S. pneumoniae
H. influenzae
E. coli
K. pneumoniae
B. fragilis
P. mirabilis
P. aeruginosa
P. bivia
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
Merem | Meropenem* |
Invanz | Ertapenem** |
Primaxin | Imipenem, Cilastatin |
Dorbax | Doripenem |
*associated with development of pseudomembranous colitis, should be used with caution in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
**not recommended for patients under the age of 18
Route: IM (intramuscular), IV (intravenous)
Onset: rapid
Peak: 30-120 min
Duration: n/a
Half-life: 4 hours
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine; unchanged
known allergies to carbapenems or beta-lactams
seizure disorders
meningitis
lactation → drug might be excreted in breast milk
superinfections (= secondary infections that are resistant to the existing treatment)
pseudomembranous colitis (= inflammation of the colon caused by overgrowth of C. difficile bacteria, associated with antibiotic use)
diarrhea
nausea
vomiting
dehydration
electrolyte imbalance
headache
dizziness
altered mental state
Cephalosporins are not typically used as a first choice antibiotic and are reserved for when others cannot be used (especially due to rising numbers of cephalosporin-resistant bacteria). They are typically used in place of penicillin due to similar structure and function but are also used in place of other antibiotics. They tend to be used to treat the following infections:
bone infections
ear infections (otitis media)
skin infections
upper respiratory tract infections
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Generation | Common names |
|---|---|
1st generation | Cefazolin, Cephalexin, Cefadroxil, Cefazedone |
2nd generation | Cefuroxime, Cefoxitin, Cefclor |
3rd generation | Ceftriaxone, Cefixime, Cefpodoxime |
4th generation | Cefepime, Cefpirome, Cefquinome |
Route: oral, IM (intramuscular), IV (intravenous)
Onset: n/a
Peak: 30-60 minutes
Duration: 8-10 hours
Half-life: 30-60 minutes
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine; unchanged
known allergy to cephalosporins and beta-lactamase
hepatic and/or renal impairment → could interfere with the metabolism and excretion
pregnancy and lactation → effects on the fetus and infant are not known
preexisting renal insufficiency → increased risk of nephrotoxicity
superinfections
phlebitis (= inflammation of a vein) or local abscess (= concentration of pus in a confined tissue space) near the site of administration if IM/IV
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
anorexia
abdominal pain
flatulence
pseudomembranous colitis
headache
dizziness
lethargy
paresthesia (= sensation of tingling, burning, or pricking felt on or just underneath the skin)
Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are used for a wide variety of infections such as:
bronchitis
pneumonia
sinusitis
UTIs, PID, and other urethral/gynecological infections
septicemia (= blood poisoning) and intraabdominal infections
joint, bone, and skin infections
typhoid fever
anthrax
bacterial gastroenteritis
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
Avelox | Moxifloxacin |
Cipro | Ciprofloxacin |
Cipro Extended Release | Ciprofloxacin Extended Release |
Factive | Gemifloxacin |
Levaquin | Levofloxacin |
Ofloxacin | Ofloxacin |
Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
Oral | variable | 60-90 minutes | 4-5 hours |
IV (intravenous) | 10 minutes | 30 minutes | 4-5 hours |
Half-life: 3.5-4 hours
Metabolism: liver
Excretion: liver/bile, kidney/urine
known allergy to fluoroquinolones
pregnancy and lactation → effects on the fetus and infant are unknown
seizures → can be exacerbated by effects on cell membrane channels
risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in the following populations:
people over the age of 60
people on concurrent steroids
people with renal, heart, and/or lung transplants
photosensitivity and severe skin reactions → advise patients to avoid intense sun/UV exposure and protect themselves with clothing/sunscreen when exposed
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
dry mouth
headache
dizziness
insomnia
depression
bone marrow depression
Penicillin and penicillinase-resistant antibiotics are often used for the following medical conditions:
dental abscesses
ear infections
gonorrhea
pneumonia
UTIs
streptococcal infections including:
pharyngitis
tonsillitis
endocarditis
meningococcal meningitis
Form | Spectrum of activity | Generic name | Brand name |
|---|---|---|---|
Aminopenicillins | Most gram-positive, some gram-negative bacteria (ex: E. coli, H. influenzae) |
|
|
Anti-pseudomonal penicillin | Most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Sometimes given with beta-lactamase. | Piperacillin | Pipracil |
Beta-lactamase inhibitors | Most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including those that produce beta-lactamase (bacteroides, enterococcus, staphylococcus) |
|
|
Natural penicillin | Most gram-positive bacteria, but a limited number of gram-negative bacteria |
|
|
Penicillinase-resistant penicillins | Most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Naturally resistant to beta-lactamase. |
|
|
known allergy to penicillin and/or cephalosporins
renal disease → impairs drug excretion
pregnancy and lactation → no known effects on fetus, but diarrhea and superinfections can occur in infants
superinfections (including yeast infections)
pain/inflammation at the site of injection
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
glossitis (= inflammation of the tongue)
stomatitis
gastritis
sore mouth
furry tongue (= improper shedding of papillae → keratin buildup)
rash
fever
wheezing
anaphylaxis (with repeated exposures)
Sulfonamides are used to inhibit folic acid synthesis, and are used for infections caused by the following strains*:
C. trachomatis
Nocardia
some strains of the following:
H. influenzae
E. coli
P. mirabilis
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
*Non-antibiotic sulfonamides can be used for diabetes and pain relief, and some non-antimicrobial sulfonamides can be used for autoimmune disorders such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
|
|
Route: oral
Onset: rapid
Peak: 1-4 hours
Duration: n/a
Half-life: 8-10 hours
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine
known allergy to sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, and/or thiazide diuretics → risk of cross-sensitivity
renal disease → increases toxic effects
pregnancy → can cause birth defects
lactation → increased risk for kernicterus (= brain condition in infants caused by excessive bilirubin in the blood), diarrhea, and rash in infants
photosensitivity
rash
hypersensitivity reactions
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
anorexia
stomatitis
hepatic injury
crystalluria (= formation of crystals in the urine due to mineral imbalance)
hematuria
proteinuria
toxic nephrosis
headache
dizziness
vertigo
ataxia (= poor muscle control resulting from damage to the cerebellum)
convulsions
depression
bone marrow depression
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are either isolated or produced synthetically from Streptomyces bacteria. They are used to treat bacterial infections all over the body, but are often used for the following:
Lyme disease
malaria
severe acne
STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia)
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
Declomycin | Demeclocycline |
Adoxa, Doryx, Vibramycin | Doxycycline |
Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn | Minocycline |
Ala-tet, Tetrcap | Tetracycline |
Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
Oral | variable | 2-4 hours | n/a |
Topical | minimal | n/a | n/a |
Half-life: 6-12 hours
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine
known allergies to tetracyclines and/or tartrazine
pregnancy and lactation → can damage developing bones and teeth
ocular infections (fungal, mycobacterial, viral) → ophthalmic preparations can kill normal flora as well
risk of damaging bones and teeth in children under the age of 8
hepatic and/or renal dysfunction
superinfections
photosensitivity
rash
pain/stinging with topical and ocular preparations
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
glossitis
dysphagia
fatal hepatotoxicity
weakening bone structure → staining and/or pitting in bones and teeth
bone marrow depression
hemolytic anemia (= RBCs break down and/or die faster than they can be replaced by the body)
Aminoglycosides are used for infections caused by gram negative aerobic bacilli, but are also effective against certain other infections such as Staphylococci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Gentamicin (generic version - IV only)
Amikacin (IV only)
Tobramycin
Gentak and Genoptic (eye drops)
Kanamycin
Streptomycin*
Neo-Fradin
Neomycin (generic version - IV only)
*ONLY for special cases, because of its effect on the 8th cranial nerve and kidney
Route: IM (intramuscular), IV (intravenous)
Onset: rapid
Peak: 30-90 mins
Duration: N/A
Half-life: 2-3 hours
Metabolism: liver
Excretion: kidneys/urine
known allergies
renal and/or hepatic disease
preexisting hearing loss
active herpes or mycobacterial infection → might be worsened by effects on defense mechanisms
myasthenia gravis or Parkinson’s disease → might be worsened by effects on the nervous system
lactation → any excretion into the breast milk can have serious complications for infants
ototoxicity (= toxicity to the ears)
irreversible deafness
vestibular paralysis
confusion and disorientation
depression
numbness, tingling, and weakness
renal failure
bone marrow depression → immunosuppression and resultant infections
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
weight loss
stomatitis (= inflammation of the mouth)
hepatotoxicity (= toxicity to the liver)
palpitations
excessively high/low BP (hyper-/hypotension)
purpura (= purplish spots caused by bleeding from blood vessels in the skin)
rash
urticaria (= hives)
exfoliative dermatitis
Carbapenems are effective against gram positive and negative bacteria, and are used for infections caused by serious strains that are resistant to other antibiotics such as:
S. pneumoniae
H. influenzae
E. coli
K. pneumoniae
B. fragilis
P. mirabilis
P. aeruginosa
P. bivia
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
Merem | Meropenem* |
Invanz | Ertapenem** |
Primaxin | Imipenem, Cilastatin |
Dorbax | Doripenem |
*associated with development of pseudomembranous colitis, should be used with caution in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
**not recommended for patients under the age of 18
Route: IM (intramuscular), IV (intravenous)
Onset: rapid
Peak: 30-120 min
Duration: n/a
Half-life: 4 hours
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine; unchanged
known allergies to carbapenems or beta-lactams
seizure disorders
meningitis
lactation → drug might be excreted in breast milk
superinfections (= secondary infections that are resistant to the existing treatment)
pseudomembranous colitis (= inflammation of the colon caused by overgrowth of C. difficile bacteria, associated with antibiotic use)
diarrhea
nausea
vomiting
dehydration
electrolyte imbalance
headache
dizziness
altered mental state
Cephalosporins are not typically used as a first choice antibiotic and are reserved for when others cannot be used (especially due to rising numbers of cephalosporin-resistant bacteria). They are typically used in place of penicillin due to similar structure and function but are also used in place of other antibiotics. They tend to be used to treat the following infections:
bone infections
ear infections (otitis media)
skin infections
upper respiratory tract infections
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Generation | Common names |
|---|---|
1st generation | Cefazolin, Cephalexin, Cefadroxil, Cefazedone |
2nd generation | Cefuroxime, Cefoxitin, Cefclor |
3rd generation | Ceftriaxone, Cefixime, Cefpodoxime |
4th generation | Cefepime, Cefpirome, Cefquinome |
Route: oral, IM (intramuscular), IV (intravenous)
Onset: n/a
Peak: 30-60 minutes
Duration: 8-10 hours
Half-life: 30-60 minutes
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine; unchanged
known allergy to cephalosporins and beta-lactamase
hepatic and/or renal impairment → could interfere with the metabolism and excretion
pregnancy and lactation → effects on the fetus and infant are not known
preexisting renal insufficiency → increased risk of nephrotoxicity
superinfections
phlebitis (= inflammation of a vein) or local abscess (= concentration of pus in a confined tissue space) near the site of administration if IM/IV
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
anorexia
abdominal pain
flatulence
pseudomembranous colitis
headache
dizziness
lethargy
paresthesia (= sensation of tingling, burning, or pricking felt on or just underneath the skin)
Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are used for a wide variety of infections such as:
bronchitis
pneumonia
sinusitis
UTIs, PID, and other urethral/gynecological infections
septicemia (= blood poisoning) and intraabdominal infections
joint, bone, and skin infections
typhoid fever
anthrax
bacterial gastroenteritis
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
Avelox | Moxifloxacin |
Cipro | Ciprofloxacin |
Cipro Extended Release | Ciprofloxacin Extended Release |
Factive | Gemifloxacin |
Levaquin | Levofloxacin |
Ofloxacin | Ofloxacin |
Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
Oral | variable | 60-90 minutes | 4-5 hours |
IV (intravenous) | 10 minutes | 30 minutes | 4-5 hours |
Half-life: 3.5-4 hours
Metabolism: liver
Excretion: liver/bile, kidney/urine
known allergy to fluoroquinolones
pregnancy and lactation → effects on the fetus and infant are unknown
seizures → can be exacerbated by effects on cell membrane channels
risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in the following populations:
people over the age of 60
people on concurrent steroids
people with renal, heart, and/or lung transplants
photosensitivity and severe skin reactions → advise patients to avoid intense sun/UV exposure and protect themselves with clothing/sunscreen when exposed
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
dry mouth
headache
dizziness
insomnia
depression
bone marrow depression
Penicillin and penicillinase-resistant antibiotics are often used for the following medical conditions:
dental abscesses
ear infections
gonorrhea
pneumonia
UTIs
streptococcal infections including:
pharyngitis
tonsillitis
endocarditis
meningococcal meningitis
Form | Spectrum of activity | Generic name | Brand name |
|---|---|---|---|
Aminopenicillins | Most gram-positive, some gram-negative bacteria (ex: E. coli, H. influenzae) |
|
|
Anti-pseudomonal penicillin | Most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Sometimes given with beta-lactamase. | Piperacillin | Pipracil |
Beta-lactamase inhibitors | Most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including those that produce beta-lactamase (bacteroides, enterococcus, staphylococcus) |
|
|
Natural penicillin | Most gram-positive bacteria, but a limited number of gram-negative bacteria |
|
|
Penicillinase-resistant penicillins | Most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Naturally resistant to beta-lactamase. |
|
|
known allergy to penicillin and/or cephalosporins
renal disease → impairs drug excretion
pregnancy and lactation → no known effects on fetus, but diarrhea and superinfections can occur in infants
superinfections (including yeast infections)
pain/inflammation at the site of injection
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
glossitis (= inflammation of the tongue)
stomatitis
gastritis
sore mouth
furry tongue (= improper shedding of papillae → keratin buildup)
rash
fever
wheezing
anaphylaxis (with repeated exposures)
Sulfonamides are used to inhibit folic acid synthesis, and are used for infections caused by the following strains*:
C. trachomatis
Nocardia
some strains of the following:
H. influenzae
E. coli
P. mirabilis
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
*Non-antibiotic sulfonamides can be used for diabetes and pain relief, and some non-antimicrobial sulfonamides can be used for autoimmune disorders such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
|
|
Route: oral
Onset: rapid
Peak: 1-4 hours
Duration: n/a
Half-life: 8-10 hours
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine
known allergy to sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, and/or thiazide diuretics → risk of cross-sensitivity
renal disease → increases toxic effects
pregnancy → can cause birth defects
lactation → increased risk for kernicterus (= brain condition in infants caused by excessive bilirubin in the blood), diarrhea, and rash in infants
photosensitivity
rash
hypersensitivity reactions
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
anorexia
stomatitis
hepatic injury
crystalluria (= formation of crystals in the urine due to mineral imbalance)
hematuria
proteinuria
toxic nephrosis
headache
dizziness
vertigo
ataxia (= poor muscle control resulting from damage to the cerebellum)
convulsions
depression
bone marrow depression
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are either isolated or produced synthetically from Streptomyces bacteria. They are used to treat bacterial infections all over the body, but are often used for the following:
Lyme disease
malaria
severe acne
STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia)
Brand name | Generic name |
|---|---|
Declomycin | Demeclocycline |
Adoxa, Doryx, Vibramycin | Doxycycline |
Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn | Minocycline |
Ala-tet, Tetrcap | Tetracycline |
Route | Onset | Peak | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
Oral | variable | 2-4 hours | n/a |
Topical | minimal | n/a | n/a |
Half-life: 6-12 hours
Metabolism: n/a
Excretion: kidney/urine
known allergies to tetracyclines and/or tartrazine
pregnancy and lactation → can damage developing bones and teeth
ocular infections (fungal, mycobacterial, viral) → ophthalmic preparations can kill normal flora as well
risk of damaging bones and teeth in children under the age of 8
hepatic and/or renal dysfunction
superinfections
photosensitivity
rash
pain/stinging with topical and ocular preparations
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
glossitis
dysphagia
fatal hepatotoxicity
weakening bone structure → staining and/or pitting in bones and teeth
bone marrow depression
hemolytic anemia (= RBCs break down and/or die faster than they can be replaced by the body)
