Penicillins Flashcards
What are the classes of antibiotics?
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporins
- Carbapanems
- Macrolides
- Aminoglycosides
- Glycopeptides
- Tetracyclines
- Quinolones
Give 6 examples of penicillins?
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Flucloxacillin
- Benzylpenicillin
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
- Piperacillin
What is it important to remember when prescribing co-amoxiclav?
That it contains a penicillin, and so cannot be given to penicillin-allergic patient
What is the mechanism of action of penicillins?
Inhibits cross-linking of peptide chains in the peptidoglycan bacterial cell wall, resulting in lysis of the weakened bacterial cell wall and subsequent cell death
What is meant by broad spectrum penicillins?
Effective in treating gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria, depending on indication
Why is important to avoid the over-prescribing of antibiotics?
Because the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a serious challenge worldwide
What are the potential routes of delivery of penicillins?
- PO
- IV
- IM
What are the indications for penicillins?
- Respiratory tract infection
- Otitis media
- Urinary tract infection
- Cellulitis
- Bacterial meningitis
- ENT infections
- Prophylaxis
What penicillin can be used in respiratory tract infections?
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
What penicillin can be used in UTIs?
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
What penicillin can be used in otitis media?
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
What antibiotic can be used in cellulitis?
Flucloxacillin
What antibiotic can be used in bacterial meningitis?
Benzylpenicillin
What antibiotic can be used in ENT infections?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin
When might extended spectrum penicillins be required?
- Severe infections
- Pseudomonas
Give an example of an extended spectrum penicillin?
Piperacillin
Who might require prophylactic penicillin?
Splenectomy patients
What antibiotic prophylaxis are splenectomy patients given?
Usually low-dose penicillin
In addition to antibiotic prophylaxis, what else will splenectomy patients be given?
Further vaccinations, including the annual flu jab
In whom are penicillins contraindicated?
In patients with hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin
What is it important do when a patient reports that they are hypersensitive to penicillin?
Clarify details of allergic reaction to confirm that this is a true penicillin allergy
Other than penicillins, what antibiotics should patients with immediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins react to?
Cephalosporins and other beta-lactam antibiotics, therefore should not receive these antibiotics
What monitoring may be required when giving penicillins?
- WCC
- CRP
- Patients clinical state
What needs to be done if starting a patient on IV antibiotics?
This route should be reviewed within 48 hours of starting treatment
