Drugs to Treat Infections: Antibiotics 

• Penicillin
• Cephalosporins
• Carbapenems
• Aminoglycosides
• Tetracyclines
• Sulfonamides and Urinary Agents
• Fluoroquinolones 
• Macrolides 
• Others: Vancomycin & Metronidazole

Tetracyclines

"-cycline"

Prototype: tetracycline HCL (Sumycin)

Action: 

• Bacteriostatic
• Inhibits protein synthesis 

Therapeutic Use: 

• Broad spectrum against H. Pylori, chlamydia, PID, acne, syphillis 

Adverse Effects: GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc)/ rashes 

Contraindications: Renal failure/ Children <8yrs (causes yellow teeth)/ pregnant women 

Nursing Education: None given by instructor. 

Sulfonamides & Urinary Agents

Drugs of Class to Know:

• trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
• phenazopyridine (pyridium) [not an antiboitic; urinary septic administered w/ antibiotic to diminish pain]
• silver sulfadiazine (silvadene) ointment [for topical burns]

Action: Inhibit multiplication of new bacteria 

Therapeutic Use: 

Broad spectrum against UTI

Adverse Effects: GI symptoms (N,V,D) / allergic reaction 

Contraindications: None given by instructor 

Nursing Education: None given by instructor. 

Fluoroquinolones 

"-oxacin"

Prototype: ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Action: 

• Bactericidal 
• Interferes with enzymes necessary for DNA synthesis

Therapeutic Use: 

• synthetic broad spectrum against respiratory tract, GI, & genitourinary infections

Adverse Effects: GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc)/ photosensitivity/ tendon rupture in those >60yrs 

Contraindications: None given by instructor. 

Nursing Education: Take with food. 

Macrolides

"-romycin" 

Prototype: erythromycin (E-mycin)

Other Drugs of Class: 

azithromycin (Zithromax) 

Action: 

• Bacteriostatic / Bactericidal in large doses 
• Inhibits protein synthesis 

Therapeutic Use: 

• Gram + against staph / strep / gonorrhea / chlamydia / upper respiratory infections 

Adverse Effects: GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) 

Contraindications: None given by instructor. 

Nursing Education: None given by instructor. 

Other: Vancomycin (Vancocin)

Action: 

IV - causes Red Man Syndrome

PO - to treat Clostridium difficile 

• Gram +
• Inhibits cell wall synthesis 

Therapeutic Use: 

• Gram + against severe infections, MRSA

Adverse Effects: ototoxicity / nephrotoxicity 

Contraindications: None given by instructor. 

Nursing Education: Watch drug levels to avoid adverse effects. 

Resistance: limited use in hospitals due to development of VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococci)

Other: Metronidazole (Flagyl) 

Routes: PO, IV

Action: 

• Effective against anaerobic bacteria 

Therapeutic Use: 

• Anaerobic organisms in intra-abdominal & gyn infections, trichomoniasis 

Adverse Effects: dizziness / headache / GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) / metallic tase 

Contraindications: No Alcohol (EtOH) 

Nursing Education: None given by instructor. 

Penicillin 

"-cillin"

Protoype: Ampicillin 

Other Drugs In Class:

• penicillin G
• Amoxicillin 

Action: 

• Beta-Lactam - inhibits cell wall syntehsis 
• Gram + (expanded activity has occured); bactericidal

Therapeutic Use: 

• prevents endocarditis / strep / pneumococcal pneumonia / meningitis 

Adverse Effects: rash / anaphylaxis / neurotoxicity / GI symptoms 

Contraindications: If one is allergic to one penicillin, he/she is allergic to all drugs of penicillin class. 

Nursing Education: Take on an empty stomach 

Resistant:  Overuse has led to resistance to Amoxicillin 

Cephalosporins 

"cef-"

Routes: IV, IM (except for cephalexin, P.O.) 

Other Drugs in Class:

• 1st Gen: cefazolin (Kefzol) - IV
• cephalexin (Keflex) - P.O. 
• 2nd Gen: cefotetan (Cefotan) - IV, IM
• 3rd Gen: ceftriaxone (Rocephin) - IV, IM
• 4th Gen: cefepime (Maxipime) - IV, IM
• 5th Gen: ceftaroline (Teflaro) - 

Action: 

• Broad spectrum, Bacteriostatic & Bactericidal
• Increase activity toward gram (-) bacteria as generations progress 
• Beta-Lactam drug - Inhibits cell wall synthesis 

Therapeutic Use: 

• surgical prophylaxis / UTI / PCN resistant gonorrhea 

Adverse Effects: cross sensitivity with PCN / GI symptoms 

Contraindications: None given by instructor. 

Nursing Education: Take with food. 

Carbapenems

Prototype: imipenem cilastin (Primaxin) 

Routes: IV

Action: 

• Broad spectrum, Bactericidal 
• Beta - Lactam - inhibits cell wall synthesis 

Therapeutic Use: 

• staph / ecoli

Adverse Effects:  drug induced seizures 

Contraindications: None given by instructor. 

Nursing Education: None given by instructor. 

Aminoglycosides

" - mycin"

Prototype: gentamicin (Garamycin) (used against meningitis & endocarditis)

Other Drugs in Class: 

• streptomycin [used as second-line drug against TB]
• tobramycin (Nebcin)

Routes: IM (gentamacin, streptomycin), IV (gentamacin)

Action: 

• Gram (-), Bactericidal 
• Inhibits protein synthesis 

Therapeutic Use: 

• serious gram (-) infections / active resistant TB

Adverse Effects: nephrotoxicity / ototoxicity 

Contraindications: None given by instructor. 

Nursing Education: Need to monitor blood levels to avoid adverse effects.