Penicillin Antibiotics Flashcards
How do penicillins work?
They interfere with bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Name 6 of the common penicillins / penicillin combinations
- Penicillin G (benzylpenicillin)
- Penicillin v (phenoxymethylpenicillin)
- Ampicillin / Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav)
- Piperacillin + tazobactam
- Flucloxacillin
What is penicillin G (benzylpenicillin) indicated for?
- Gram positive streptococci (chest infection, throat infection, endocarditis, cellulitis)
- Meningococcus
- Diphtheria
- Anthrax
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme Disease
What is penicillin v (phenoxymethylpenicillin) indicated for?
- Prophylaxis for individuals with a splenectomy or hyposplenism
- Rheumatic heart disease
What is ampicillin / amoxicillin indicated for?
Amino acid side chain extends penicillin spectrum to include enterobacteria (but with decreased activity against gram positive) including
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Sinusitis
- Chest infections
- Otitis media
- Urinary tract infection
- H. pylori
What is amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) indicated for?
This is used if there is resistance to narrower-spectrum antibiotics
- Chest infections
- Pyelonephritis
- Cellulitis
- Bone infections
What is piperacillin + tazobactam indicated for?
This is used as a broad spectrum for gram positive, gram negative and pseudomonas
- Neutropenic sepsis
- Hospital acquired infections
- Complicated infections
What is flucloxacillin indicated for?
It is β-lactamase resistant It is indicated for staphylococcus infections - Skin infections - Bone infections - Post viral pneumonia
What is diptheria?
It is a strain of bacteria that causes serious infection
What is anthrax?
It is a strain of bacteria that causes serious infection
What is Leptospirosis?
It is an infection you can get from animals, but is rare in the UK
What is lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection that is spread to humans via ticks
What are the considerations for penicillin G?
- Give it via IV as there is a poor oral absorption
- Adjust dose depending on GFR
What are the side effects of penicillin G?
- Allergy
- Rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Clostridium difficile infection
- Cholestasis
What are the considerations for penicillin V?
- Oral bioavailability may vary
What are the considerations for ampicillin/amoxicillin?
- Ampicillin is by IV
- Amoxicillin is by mouth
- Adjust dose depending on glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
What are the side effects for ampicillin/amoxicillin?
Side effects same as penicillin G, but also includes Epstein-Barr virus alongside the rash.
- Allergy
- Rash with Epstein-Barr virus
- Nausea and vomiting
- Clostridium difficile infection
- Cholestasis
What are the considerations for
amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav)?
Adjust dose depending on glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
What are the side effects for
amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav)?
Side effects are the same as amoxicillin.
- Allergy
- Rash with Epstein-Barr virus
- Nausea and vomiting
- Clostridium difficile infection
- Cholestasis
What are the considerations for piperacillin + tazobactam?
- Tazobactam has decreased penetration of the blood brain barrier
- Adjust dose depending on glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
What are the side effects for piperacillin + tazobactam?
Side effects are same as penicillin G but also includes myelosuppression with prolonged use (but is rare)
- Allergy
- Rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Clostridium difficile infection
- Cholestasis
- Myelosuppression with prolonged use (but is rare)
What is myelosuppression?
It is a decrease in bone marrow activity resulting in reduced production of blood cells
What are the considerations for flucloxacillin?
Adjust dose depending on glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
What are the side effects of flucloxacillin?
Allergy
Rash
Nausea and vomiting
Cholestasis
