Penicillins

Question 1

Amoxicillin Indications

Answer 1

Alone is used to treat susceptible infections of the ear, nose, throat, GU, skin, soft tissue and lower TRI.

Question 2

Amoxicillin Spectrum of activity

Answer 2

Gram positive: Streptococcus, enterococcus

Gram neagtive: E.coli (some strains), Haemophilus influenza

Question 3

SE of amoxicillin

Answer 3

Stomach upset
Diarrhoea
Vomiting

Question 4

Co-amoxiclav MOA

Answer 4

Co-Amoxiclav
contains Amoxicillin
(Penicillin) and Clavulanic
acid (Beta-lactamase
inhibitor). Clavulanic acid
prevents the degradation
of amoxicillin by beta-
lactamase enzymes,
broadening their spectrum
of susceptible bacterial
infections.

Question 5

Co-Amoxiclav indications

Answer 5

Skin infections
UTI
RTI (CAP)
Animal bites

Question 6

Co-Amoxiclav spectrum of activity

Answer 6

Gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus ,Enterococcus, streptococcus

Gram Negative: Haemophilis influenzae, e.coli, moraxella, klebisella, proteus mirabilis

Also coverage of anaerobes

Question 7

SE of Co-Amoxiclav

Answer 7

N+V
Cdiff
Cholestatic jaundice

Question 8

CI of co-amoxiclav

Answer 8

Hx of co-amox associated jaundice or hepatic dysfunction
Hx of penicillin associated jaundice or hepatic dysfunction

Question 9

Flucloxacillin MOA

Answer 9

It has a β-lactam ring,
however, it also has an acyl
side chain that protects the
β-lactam ring from β-
lactamases, which are
enzymes produced by
bacteria in order to
deactivate penicillins. This
makes it active against β-
lactamase producing
Staphylococci.

Question 10

Flucloxacillin Indications

Answer 10

Cellulitis
Impetigo
Infected eczema
Infected wounds
Bone & Joint Infections
Osteomyelitis
Septic arthritis
Osteoarthritis

Question 11

Flucloxacillin spectrum of activity

Answer 11

gram positive only: Streptoccous, , Staphylococcus aureus (non-MRSA, including beta-lactamase producers)

Question 12

SE of flucloxacillin

Answer 12

GI upsets
Skin rashes

RARE: Liver toxicity. Cholestatic jaundice and hepatitis may occur up to two months after stopping. - use in caution with patients with hepatic impairment and not to be used in patients with a hx of hepatic dysfunction associated with flucloxacillin

Question 13

Tazocin MOA

Answer 13

Piperacillin is a β-lactam
penicillin and Tazobactam
is a β-lactamase inhibitor
which inhibits the enzyme
β-lactamase and prevents
the hydrolysis of the amide
bond in the β-lactam ring.

Question 14

Tazocin Indications

Answer 14

Septicaemia
HAP
Pseudomonas infections

Question 15

Tazocin Spectrum of activity

Answer 15

✅ Gram-positive bacteria
Streptococcus spp.
Enterococcus faecalis (not always faecium)
Staphylococcus aureus (non-MRSA)
✅ Gram-negative bacteria
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella spp.
Enterobacter spp.
Proteus spp.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ✅ (key reason it’s used in hospitals)
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis

Also anaerobes

Question 16

SE of tazocin

Answer 16

Anaemia
Candida Infections
CDIFF