Chapter 5- Infection Flashcards
(188 cards)
What are important bacteria considerations before starting therapy
Viral infections should not be treated with antibacterial
Samples should be taken for culture to avoid blind antibacterial prescribing
Narrow spectrum are preferred unless there’s a clear clinical indication
Knowledge in the prevalent organism helps chose an antibacterial
The dose is dependent on many factors (age, weight, renal, hepatic function)
The route often depends on the severity of the infection
Duration of therapy depends on the nature of the infection and response to treatment and complete course
Follow national and local prescribing guidelines
Which antibiotics are the most suitable during pregnancy
Penicillins and cephalosporins
Nitrofurantoin may also be used
Which antibiotics should be avoided in the Renally impaired and why
Tetracyclines Nitrofurantoin (eGFR<45) Aminoglycosides Glycopeptide Amoxicillin
Theyre excreted by the kidneys so would accumulate with resultant toxicity
What antibiotics do aminoglycosides include
Amikacin Gentamicin Neomycin Streptomycin Tobramycin
What’s the mechanism of action of aminoglycosides
They are bacteriocidal by irreversibly binding to ribosome to inhibit protein synthesis
Causes the cell to leak and the antibiotic to be taken up
Effective in gram +ive and -ive but mainly negative
Not effective in anaerobes
Indications for aminoglycosides
CNS infections, endocarditis, septicaemia, meningitis etc
Biliary tract infection, prostitis and pneumonia.
Streptomycin is active against TB
Side affects associated with aminoglycosides
May Cause neuromuscular transmission Irreversible ototoxicity Nephrotoxicity Nausea and vomiting Antibiotic associated colitis Peripheral neuropathy Electrolyte disturbance
Contraindications and cautions for aminoglycosides
Patients with clinical muscle weakness (eg: myasthenia gravis)
Avoid use with other ototoxic drugs (furosemide, ciaplatin)
Avoid use with nephrotoxic drugs (vancomycin and ciclosporin)
Why are aminoglycosides generally given parenterally for systemic infections
They are not absorbed from the gut
What’s the gentamicin dosing like in the Uk
Requires a loading dose as it has a narrow therapeutic index
Multiple daily dose regime:
One hour serum concentration (peak) should be 5-10mg/L (3-5 for endocarditis)
Pre-dose trough concentration should be <2mg/L (<1mg/L for endocarditis)
Warning signs for aminoglycosides
Nephrotoxicity
Ototoxicity (hearing impairment)
Dehydration
Whats the MHRA ALERT for streptomycin
Side effects increase after a cumulative dose of 100g (shouldnt need to be exceeded except in exceptional circumstances)
What are examples of carbapenem and what spectrum of activity do carbapenems have
Imipenam, meropenam and ertapenam
Broad spectrum which include many gram positive and gram negative bacteria and anaerobes
What’s the five generations of Cephalosporins
- Cefalexin and Cefradine
- Cefaclor and Cefuroxime
- Cefixime and Ceftriaxone
- Ceftaoline and Fosamil
Mechanism of action of Cephalosporins
They prevent cell wall synthesis by binding to enzymes called penicillin binding proteins. They are bacteriocidal to both gram positive and gram negative activity
When are cephalosporins indicated
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Gonorrhoea
UTIs
Caution with cephalosporins
Hypersensitivity- 0.5-6% of penicillin allergic patients will be allergic to cephalosporins
Examples of glycopeptide antibiotics
Vancomycin
Teicoplanin
Telavancin
Mechanism of action of glycopeptide antibiotics
They inhibit cell wall synthesis by binding to the cell wall precursor components, this leads to interference of the penicillin binding protein enzymes preventing Cell wall synthesis.
Active against aerobic and anaerobic gram +ive bacteria including MRSA
Side-effects of glycopeptide antibiotics
Nephrotoxicity Blood disorders Ototoxicity Red man syndrome Thrombophlebitis at injection site Nausea Chills Fever
Indication for glycopeptide antibiotics
More serious infections
C. Diff
Endocarditis
Surgical prophylaxis when high risk of MRSA
Should not be given orally except for c. Diff as it’s not significantly absorbed
Why is the loading dose required for vancomycin and what is the therapeutic range
Long half life
Therapeutic range: 10-15mg/L
15-20mg/ml for endocarditis and less sensitive MRSA strains
What are warning signs for patient taking glycopeptide antibiotics
Ototoxicity Blood disorders Red man syndrome (flushing of the upper part of the body) Phlebitis Nephrotoxicity Skin disorders Hypotension
Drug interactions with glycopeptide antibiotics
Increased risk of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity when given with ciclosporin, aminoglycosides, anti fungal and loop diuretics (ototoxicity)