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What are Antibiotics ?
The definition most of us use for an antibiotic is: any substance produced by a microorganism which harms or kills another microorganism. The first antibiotic,
penicillin, was discovered in 1929 by Sir Alexander Fleming who observed the inhibition of staphylococci on a plate contaminated by a Penicillin mold.
By the mid 1940's antibiotics were available for treatment
against many bacterial infections including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections, wound infections, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome and other bacterial infections.
By the early 1950's the discovery and
introduction of streptomycin, tetracycline and other antibiotics led to effective treatment of a vast array of formerly life-threatening infections, illnesses and diseases. Antibiotics are only effective in the
treatment of bacterial infections. They have absolutely zero impact on viral infections. How Antibiotics Work
Antibiotics work by either killing bacteria or by inhibiting growth.Antibiotics don't have any impact on viruses such as colds, flu, bronchitis, or other viral infections. Only your doctor can determine if you have a
viral or bacterial infection. Each time we take antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant ones may be left to grow and multiply. Repeated use and improper use of antibiotics are some of the
main causes of the increase in resistant bacteria.Contributors to antibiotic resistance include:
- Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture
- Demand for antibiotics when antibiotics are not called for
- Failure to finish an antibiotic prescription
- Availability of antibiotics in some countries without a prescription
Types of Antibiotic.
1.
Cephalosporin
The cephalosporin antibiotics are classified by generation
- first generation
Ceporex (cephalexin)
Duricef (Cefadroxil)
- second generation
Zinnat (Cefuroxime axetil)
- third generation
Cefspan,Surax (Cefixime)
Procef,Cedax (Ceftibuten)
They are indicated for the treatment of the following conditions,
- Respiratory tract infections: Acute and chronic bronchitis and infected bronchiectasis.
- Ear,Nose,andThroat Infections: Otitis media mastioditis,sinusitis, follicular tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
- Urinary Tract Infections: Acute and chronic pyelonephritis cystitis prostatitis.
- Gynaecological and obstatric infections.
- Skin,soft- tissue and bone infection.
2.
Macrolide antibiotics
- Erthrocin(Erythromycin)
- Klacid,Biaxin(Clarithromycin)
- Zithromax(Azithromycin)
- Rulid (Roxithromycin)
They are indicated for the treatment of the upper and lower respiratory tract,skin and soft
tissue infections of mild to moderate severity. Erythrocin is alternate choice of treatment in patients allergic to the penicillin.
3. Quinolone antibiotics
- Lexinor(Norfloxacin)
- Ciprobay(Ciprofloxacin)
- Tarivid(Ofloxacin)
The quinolone antibiotics, by virtue of their board spectrum of antimicrobial activity are a
very important class of antibiotics. Therapeutic uses include urinary tract infections,prostatitis,several sexually transmitted diseases,osteomyelitis and bacterial diarrhea.
4. Sulfonamides
- Bactrim,Co-trimoxazole:Trimethoprim(TM)80mg+Sulfamethoxazole(SMT)
400mg
Sulfonamides are used primarily in the treatment of urinary tract infection; in combination
with trimethroprim, they are also frequently used for the treatment of otitis, bronchitis,sinusitis.
5. Metronidazole
Metronidazole is clinically effective in trichomoniasis, amebiasis, and giardiasis, as well as in a varity of infectionscaused by obligate anaerobic bacteria, including Bacteroides, Clostridium, and
Helicobacter species.
Metronidazole cures genital infection with T.vaginakis in both females amd male in a high percentage of cases. The preferred treatment regimen is 2g. of metronidazole as a single
oral dose for both male and female. For patients who cannot tolerate a single 2 g. dose an alternative regimen is a 250 mg. dose given three times daily for 7 days.
Metronidazole is an effective amebicide and has become the agent of choice for the treatment of all symptomatic forms of amebiasis. It is recommended that patients receive
750 mg. three times daily for 5 to 10 days.
Metronidazole has become the drug of choice for the treatment of giardiasis. The usual regimen is 250mg. given three times daily for 7 days for adults.
Metronidazole is extremely useful for treatment of serious infections due to susceptible anaerobic bacteria.
Recent studies have suggested that Metrinidazole therapy may benefit some pataients
with peptic ulcer ulcers who are infected with Heliconacter pylori. |
