Bugs & Drugs
Standard first-line drug of choice for hospital-acquired MRSA.
What is vancomycin?
Be sure to tell your patient to use sunscreen when using this antibiotic in the summer.
What is doxycycline?
Globally, this is the most significant consequence of antibiotic misuse, making infections harder or even impossible to treat.
What is antibiotic resistance?
This oral antibiotic is preferred for community-acquired MRSA because it’s effective, inexpensive, and avoids unnecessary use of IV agents like vancomycin.
What is sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim)?
Misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt normal gut flora, triggering this dangerous infection caused by spore germination and toxin production.
What is C. difficile infection?
Inappropriate use of antibiotics has fueled global resistance to this mosquito-borne illness.
What is malaria?
Useful in PCN-allergic patients, this monobactam is effective versus gram-negative bacteria but ineffective vs gram-positive.
What is aztreonam?
In the setting of prolonged QTc interval, inappropriate use of this class of drugs can lead to fatal heart rhythms.
What are fluoroquinolones?
Complications from antibiotic misuse in hospitalized patients drive both these metrics up. :(
What is length of stay and healthcare costs?