Choosing Antibiotics

Question 1

All antibiotics can cause what side effects?

Answer 1

nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes and candida infection

Question 2

What are specific side effects of the aminoglycosides and glycopeptides?

Answer 2

neprhotoxicity and ototoxicity

Question 3

What is an important interaction of metranidzaole?

Answer 3

bad reaction with alcohol (disulfiram reaction)

Question 4

Evidence suggests that high dose or low dose therapy is better?

Answer 4

high dose therapy for shorter duration for optimal treatment outcome

Question 5

What are access antibiotics?

Answer 5

list of antibiotics from WHO that have a green light for prescribing vs other watch and reserve antibiotics which you should prescribe with caution

Question 6

Where is it more difficult for antibiotics to get into?

Answer 6

areas with tight junctions e.g. CNS, eyes, prostate

Question 7

Explain what is meant by MIC?

Answer 7

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) The lowest concentration of an antibiotic that prevents visible growth of an organism on agar or in broth cultured in the lab. The MIC is used to determine whether the bacteria can be inhibited by drug concentrations that are achievable and safe in the blood stream.

The MIC of an antibiotic is what decides dosing frequency etc

Question 8

What is active against HiB in the UK?

Answer 8

amoxicillin

also doxycyline

Question 9

Which antibiotics are active against anaerobes?

Answer 9

metranidazole
clindamycin
co-amoxiclav
vancomycin

Question 10

List some antibiotics that may be active against gram negatives?

Answer 10

beta lactams
aminoglycosides
macrolides
tetracyclines 
chloramphenicol
co trimoxazole