Archive for the ‘Antibiotic’ Category
Keflex – treatment for infections caused by bacteria
What is Keflex?
Keflex is Eli Lilly and Company’s trade name for cephalexin, a cephalosporin antibiotic. It is used to treat a number of infections including upper respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, sinusitis, osteomyelitis, urinary tract infections, prostatitis and various skin infections including impetigo. It is also of use as a substitute for penicillin in patients who are allergic to that. It is also used in bacterial heart infections.
What does Keflex look like?
Keflex is sold in a green and white capsule with a strength of 250 mg and an imprint of “Dista H71 Keflex 250 mg”, a dark and light green capsule with a strength of 500 mg and an imprint of “Dista H69 Keflex 500 mg”, and a dark green capsule with a strength of 750 mg and in imprint of “Keflex 750 mg”. Keflex is also available as an oral suspension.
Keflex dosing and administration
The standard dose of Keflex for bacterial infections is between 250 mg and 1 gram, four times per day for between 7 and 17 days. This may be extended for more serious infections. The dosage for children is between 25 and 100 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided into three or four doses. Children should not take more than 4 grams of Keflex per day. When Keflex is used as a prophylactic measure for bacterial heart infection in adults, the standard dosage is 2 grams in a single dose one hour before surgical intervention. Keflex may be taken with our without food but should always be taken with a full glass of water.
Common adverse effects from Keflex
Side effects of Keflex may include diarrhea, vertigo, headache, agitation, dyspepsia, joint pain, mild abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice, skin rashes, urinary retention, severe cramps and confusion. Other side effects may include hives, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, unexplained bleeding or bruising, hallucinations, thrombocytopenia, vaginal discharge and seizures.
Keflex warnings and precautions
Medical attention should be sought immediately if any symptoms of allergic reaction occur. These symptoms may include rash, itching, swelling or dyspnea. If a live typhoid vaccination is given while taking Keflex, the vaccine may be ineffective and you may not be protected against this disease. It is recommended that Keflex not be taken during pregnancy. Keflex may cause false results in some biochemical tests and you should inform any doctor who orders tests for you that you are taking Keflex. If you are using Keflex in suspension form, it should be stored in a refrigerator.
Interactions with Keflex
Drugs with which Keflex may interact include probenecid, aminoglycosides, metformin, and live typhoid vaccine.
What if I take an accidental overdose of Keflex?
Symptoms of Keflex overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea and blood in the urine. If you suspect that you or someone else may have taken an overdose of Keflex, you should seek emergency medical attention.
Zithromax skin and ear infection medicine
What is Zithromax?
Zithromax is a brand name for azithromycin, an azalide antibiotic used in the treatment of many common infections. Azalides are a type of macrolide antibiotics. Azithromycin is related to erythromycin and clarithromycin. It is used to treat middle ear infections, pneumonia, typhoid, pelvic inflammatory disease, pharyngitis, sinusitis and tonsillitis as well as STDs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Some doctors may prescribe Zithromax off-label for the treatment of acne, bacterial heart infections, whooping cough and certain opportunistic infections in patients with HIV.
How does Zithromax work?
Zithromax obstructs protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to a subunit of the bacteria’s ribosome. This prevents the bacteria from reproducing. It is concentrated in phagocytes and so is transported by the body itself to any infection site.
What does Zithromax look like?
Zithromax is sold in a large number of forms. Tablets are available in 250 and 500 milligrams. These are oval pink tablets imprinted with “Pfizer 306” and Pfizer ZTM500” respectively. There is also an oval white tablet with a strength of 600 mg which is imprinted with “308 Pfizer”. It is also available in a red 250 mg capsule as well as an oral suspension, an injectable solution and a 1% ophthalmic solution.
Zithromax dosing and administration
Zithromax is usually prescribed as either 250 mg or 500 mg once daily for three to five days. The doctor may prescribe a different schedule for chronic infections. For STDs the standard dose is between 1 and 2 grams in a single dose. The recommended dosage for children is between 5 and 20 mgs per kilogram of body weight once daily for three to five days.
Common adverse effects from Zithromax
The side effects most commonly seen are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache and rashes. Thee have been rare instances of hepatitis and delirium as well as dyspepsia, kidney failure, hypotension, vertigo, tinnitus, parasthesia and dehydration. Thrombocytopenia and serious intestinal infections may also occur.
Zithromax warnings and precautions
Zithromax should be used with caution in patients with kidney or liver disease. If you have either of these conditions you should discuss them with your doctor before taking Zithromax. Zithromax is known to be found in the milk of nursing mothers taking the drug. It may also increase the incidence of oral and vaginal yeast infections.
Zithromax and oral contraceptives.
Zithromax may modify the action of oral contraceptives and supplementary forms of contraception should be used while taking Zithromax.
Interactions with Zithromax
Taking Zithromax with Warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding. Antacids may obstruct absorption of Zithromax. There may also be interactions with digoxin, cyclosporine, phenytoin, triazolam, ergot derivatives, theophylline, carbamazepine, nelfinavir and quinine.