Common Surgical Medications Flashcards
Which antibiotics are commonly used for anaerobic infections?
Metronidazole, clindamycin, cefoxitin, cefotetan, imipenem, ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, Unasyn, Augmentin
Which antibiotics are commonly used for gram-negative infections?
Gentamicin and other aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin, aztreonam, 3rd-generation cephalosporins, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
Which antibiotic, if taken with alcohol, will produce a disulfiram-like reaction?
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
What is the drug of choice for treating amoebic infections?
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Which antibiotic is associated with cholestasis?
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Which antibiotic cannot be given to children or pregnant women?
Ciprofloxacin (interferes with growth plate)
With which common antibiotics must serum levels be determined?
Aminoglycosides and vancomycin
Is rash (only) in response to penicillins a contraindication to cephalosporins?
No, but breathing problems, urticaria, and edema in response to penicillins are contraindications to the cephalosporins
What is Augmentin?
Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid
What is Unasyn?
Ampicillin and sulbactam
What is cefazolin (Ancef)?
1st-generation cephalosporin.
Surgical prophylaxis for skin flora.
What is cefoxitin (Mefoxin)?
2nd-generation cephalosporin.
Used for mixed aerobic/anaerobic infections.
Effective against Bacteroides fragilis and anaerobic bacteria.
What is ceftazidime (Ceftaz)?
3rd-generation cephalosporin.
Strong activity against Pseudomonas.
What is clindamycin?
Strong activity agains gram-negative anaerobes such as B. fragilis.
Adequate gram-positive activity.
What is gentamicin?
Aminoglycoside used to treat gram-negative bacteria.
Nephrotoxic, ototoxic.
Bblood teak/trough levels should be monitored.
What is imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin)?
Often used as a last resort against serious multiresistant organisms.
Usually combined with cilastatin, which inhibits renal excretion of imipenem.
Has a very wide spectrum.
What is metronidazole (Flagyl)?
Used for serious anaerobic infections.
Also used to treat amebiasis.
Patient must abstain from alcohol use during therapy.
What is nafcillin (Nafcil)?
Anti-staphylococcal penicillin commonly used for cellulitis
What is vancomycin?
Used to treat MRSA.
Used orally to treat C. difficile pseudomembranous colitis (poorly absorbed from the gut).
With IV administration, peak/trough levels should be monitored.
What is ciprofloxacin (Cipro)?
Quinoline antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity, especially against gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas
What is aztreonam (Azactam)?
Monobactam with gram-negative spectrum
What is amphotericin?
IV antifungal antibiotic associated with renal toxicity, hypokalemia
What is fluconazole (Diflucan)?
Antifungal agent (IV or PO) not associated with renal toxicity
What is nystatin?
PO and topical antifungal
What are the side effects of steroids?
Adrenal suppression, immunosuppression, weight gain with central obesity, cushingoid facies, acne, hirsutism, purple striae, hyperglycemia, sodium retention, hypokalemia, hypertension, osteopenia, myopathy, ischemic bone necrosis, GI perforations
What are the uses of steroids?
Immunosuppression (transplant), autoimmune diseases, hormone replacement, spinal cord trauma, COPD
Can steroids be abruptly stopped?
No, steroids should always be tapered
Which patients need stress-dose steroid before surgery?
Those who are on steroids, were on steroids in the past year, have suspected hypoadrenalism, or are about to undergo adrenalectomy
What is the stress dose for steroids?
100 mg of hydrocortisone IV q8h and then taper
Which vitamin helps counteract the deleterious effects of steroids on wound healing?
Vitamin A
What is the mechanism of action of heparin?
Heparin binds with and activates antithrombin III
What are the uses of heparin?
Prophylaxis and treatment of DVT, PE, stoke, atrial fibrillation, acute arterial occlusion, cardiopulmonary bypass
What are the side effects of heparin?
Bleeding complications, can cause thrombocytopenia
What reverses the effects of heparin?
Protamine IV
What lab test should be used to follow the effect of heparin?
aPTT (activated PTT)