Antibiotics are medications used to treat infections by living organisms. As such, they work marvelously against bacterial, rickettsial and spirochetal infections as well as amoebal and some parasitic ones. However, unfortunately, viruses are not 'alive' in the way we define life - they're more like little protein machines. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses.
Antibiotics were first introduced in the 1930s, with sulfanilamide. Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming after the accidental contamination of a bacterial culture with mold in 1929. Initially, penicillin was very difficult to produce, so the urine of patients receiving penicillin was collected in order to retrieve what penicillin could be retrieved for reuse.
In recent years, antibiotics of different types have multiplied. There is hardly anyone in the US who has not had at least one course of antibiotics in their life. However, due to misuse (not taking the full course) and overuse (using antibiotics in situations where they are not indicated), antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria are becoming more and more common, and medical workers have nightmares about bacteria that cannot be killed by anythign in our medical arsenal.
Antibiotics
Brand/Generic Drug Names
azithromycin, clarithromycin, gentamycin, cefaclor, cefazolin, cefotaxime, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, meropenem, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, penicillin, sulfasalazine,doxycycline, tetracycline
Common uses
susceptible bacterial, rickettsial and spirochete infections
Pharmacology
inhibit growth and replication of susceptible bacterial organisms
Class contraindications
allergy, cross-sensitivity
Class precautions
renal and liver disease
Interactions
varies by drug
Adverse Reactions
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bone marrow depression, anaphylaxis
Additional Information
Assess blood and renal studies
Assess bowel pattern, urine output qd
Assess for anaphylaxis, bleeding, overgrowth of infection
Ensure culture and sensitivity is taken before beginning therapy
Administer for 10-14 days to ensure death of organism
Evaluate therapeutic response: absence of fever, malaise, fatigue, draining wounds
Date of most recent Update
August 07, 2002
Further information is available in the writeup for the
specific name(s) of this medication class