ANTIINFECTIVES

CLASS:

PROTOTYPE:

CLINICAL USE:

ADVERSE EFFECTS:

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

Aminoglycosides

Gentamycin

Used in gram negative

sepsis & many life
threatening infections.
Inactive against anaerobic
bacteria.
Broad Spectrum,
bactericidal

Nausea/ Diarrhea
Very OTOTOXIC and
NEPHROTOXIC.
(Loop diurectics
ototoxicity)
Hypersensitivity reactions
(major adverse rx.)

Monitor for BUN and

SERUM CREATININE for
Nephrotoxicity.
Should be given for NO
LONGER than 10 days!!!
effectiveness of Oral
contraceptives

Cefizox, Cefzil, Ancef

Broad Spectrum of Activity

I.M.= painful,
I.V. = thromobphlebitis,
P.O. -give with food

Cross-sensitivity w/
penicillin.
Give WITH Food!

Doxycycline
(Vibramycin)

Broad spectrum
low dose therapy used to
tx ACNE

Discolors teeth
permanently if given to
children under 8 yrs.

Chloramphenicol

Limited use d/t: aplastic

anemia adverse effect

Gray Syndrome
Causes bone marrow
suppression

Erythromycin

Safe and effective

GI upset

Milk products prevent

absorption.
oral contraceptive
effectiveness
Inhibits metabolism of
hypoglycemic agents, Oral
anticoagulants, and
anticonvulsants.
Do not give I.M.
Do not give with meals
(food s absorption)
Take on empty stomach
w/ full glass water
Monitor I & 0 and
fluids
oral contraceptive
effectiveness

Mycins

Penicillins

Ampicillin, Penicillin G

Cillins

Cephalosporins
Cefs

Tetracyclines

Macrolides

Cholestatic hepatitis

Sulfonamides

Sulfisoxasole , Bactrim

Causes Photosensitivity
contraindicated if allergic
to sulfonyureas

Sulfa

Carbapenems

Imipenem-cilastatin
sodium
(Primaxin)

Very Broad Spectrum

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Seizures (in the elderly)

ANTIINFECTIVES
CLASS:

PROTOTYPE:

CLINICAL USE:

ADVERSE EFFECTS:

Clindamycin &
Lincomycin

Reserved for serious

infections.

Vancomycin

Tx. Of Methicillin-resistant
Staphyloccus aureus
(MRSA)

COMMON: diarrhea
pseudomembranous colitis
(SEVERE DIARRHEA,
mucous & blood in stool)
OTOTOXIC
NEPHROTOXIC

Antituberculous Drug

INH
(Nydrazid)

the most important drug

for treating T.B.

May cause peripheral

neuritis (treated w/ vit. B6)
may cause hepatitis:
check liver function studies

Antituberculous Drug

Rifampin

Antituberculous Drug

Ethambutol

Always used in combo. In

tx. of T.B. unlabled uses:
Hansens disease (leprosy),
staphylococcus infections
used in combination with
INH & Rifampin

G-I upset (most common)

*CAUSES RED-ORANGE
DISCOLORATION of Sweat,
tears, saliva, urine, & feces
Optic neuritis
(usually reversible)

Treats Leprosy

Hemolytic anemia (pallor,

fatigue, dyspnea) &
methemoglobinemia
(cyanosis)

AntiLeprosy Drugs

Dapsone

(Primary)

&

Rifampin (2nd choice)

Antiviral Agents
(Anti- Herpes Agent)

Acyclovir
(Zovirax)

Initial & recurrent genital

herpes, cold sores,shingles
Shortens Herpes episodes
Does not cure Herpes, or
prevent spread of the
disease or recurrence.

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

Monitor Serum Levels.

Red Man Syndrome
associated w/ rapid
I.V. administration
CULTURE & SENSITIVITY
TESTING. check liver
function studies. 6 mos
therapy/ or 3mos after
neg cultures
Decreases plasma levels of
oral contraceptives.

drug therapy continues for

approximately one year
long term therapy, usually
for one or more years

Hydration important to
prevent renal crystal
formation.
topical route - wear
gloves/prevent spreading.
I.V. - severe cases

ANTIINFECTIVES
CLASS:

PROTOTYPE:

CLINICAL USE:

ADVERSE EFFECTS:

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

Antiviral Agents

Vidarabine
(Vira- A)

tx. herpes encephalitis

nausea /vomiting
weakness, tremor, &
confusion

Weight daily (I.V. dose is

diluted in large amount of
fluid).

Antiviral Agents

Amantadine
(Symmatrel)

nausea, anorexia,
nervousness, headache

Pts. with seizure disorders

are more prone to seizures
while on this drug

Antiviral Agents

Ribarvirin
(Virazole)

prevents & treats

Influenza A
(not the same as an
immunization)
Respiratory tract
infections caused by
respiratory syncytial virus
(RSV) in children.
Treatment of AIDS
Does not cure AIDS.
(Even with AZT tx., pt. still
a carrier of HIV.)
tx. severe systemic
infections

Antiviral Agents

Zidovudine
(AZT)

Antifungal Agents

Amphotercin B

(Most Common)
administered by

Inhalation
ONLY!
Most are hematologic

Monitor for decreased

WBC and RBC

NEPHROTOXIC

I.V., intraarticular, or
bladder irrigation.
Monitor for potassium
levels. Monitor CBCs.
Give aspirin, benadryl &
steroids prior to infusion.
Infusion should be slowly
administered.
given topically or orally
For thrush: swish and
swallow

blood dyscrasias
(monitor CBC)

Antifungal Agents

Nystatin
(Mycostatin)

G-I & vaginal yeast

infections

Imidazole
Antimycotic Agents

GRISEOFULVIN (Grisactin)

Treats ringworm infections

of skin, hair, and nails.

Thrush

penicillin derivative
(caution in pts. who are
allergic to penicillin)

ANTIINFECTIVES
CLASS:

PROTOTYPE:

CLINICAL USE:

ADVERSE EFFECTS:

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

Imidazole
Antimycotic Agents

Clotrimazole

Antihelminic Agent:

Mebendazole
(Vermox)

Topically: C. albicans
infections. Orally: tx. oral
candidiasis. Vaginally: tx.
vaginal candidiasis
Destroy Helminths
(parasitic worms).

nausea, diarrhea
(Take AFTER MEALS)

Repeat tx. often needed

b/c of pt. noncompliance
or reinfection. Treat all
family members are b/c
other infections may recur.

G.I Upset

Take with food to minimize

G-I distress

Nephrotoxic!!!
pain at injection site

Monitor liver function

studies

ANTINEMATODE AGENTS
(roundworms)

Antimalarial

Chloroquine.

Antiprotozoal

Pentamadine

Urinary Antiseptic
Agents

METHENAMINE
(Urised)

chronic urinary tract

infections

Urinary Antiseptic
Agents

NITROFURANTOIN
(Macrodantin)

acute and chronic UTIs

Urinary Antiseptic
Agents

TRIMETHOPRIM
(Proloprim)

acute uncomplicated UTIs

[Used as a combo. drug w/
(Bactrim, Septra)]

Quinolones

CIPROFLOXIN (Cipro)

Systemic infections,
urinary infections.
Lower respiratory tract,
skin, bone, or joint
infections, STDs

OFLOXACIN(Floxin)
(Sometimes classified as
urinary antiseptics)

prevent & tx. All malaria

strains, except resistant
strains.

Dont use if pt. has FOLEY

b/c the urine needs to be
in the bladder for 1 hour
turns urine brown or rust
yellow

Increased effectiveness
when taken with food
oral contraceptive
effectiveness
used alone may increase
trimthoprim-resistant
organisms.

(Few adverse rx.)

most common is:

contraindicated in
pediatric patients

G-I tract, insomnia

ANTIINFECTIVES