Penicillins- broad-spectrum

Question 1

What is amoxicillin indicated for?

Answer 1

Amoxicillin is used many infections such as sinusitis, otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia, and urinary tract infection (UTI), and to eradicate Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease

Question 2

What is co-amoxiclav indicated for?

Answer 2

severe, resistant, and hospital-acquired infections, including pneumonia, UTI, intraabdominal infection, cellulitis, and bone and joint infection.

Question 3

How do they work?

Answer 3

Penicillins inhibit enzymes responsible for cross-linking peptidoglycans.

Question 4

What are the side effects of these drugs?

Answer 4

GI upset
Antibiotic-associated colitis
Allergies

Co-amoxiclav can cause acute liver injury

Question 5

What are the warnings for these drugs?

Answer 5

Contraindicated in patients with a severe allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics

Should be avoided in young people with a sore throat as can cause a rash with glandular fever

Dose reduced in severe renal impairment

Question 6

What interactions can occur with these drugs?

Answer 6

Reduced renal excretion of methotrexate

Can enhance anticoagulant effect of warfarin