Antibiotics 101
This type of antibiotic targets a wide variety of bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
What is a broad-spectrum antibiotic?
Before prescribing an antibiotic, a provider should always obtain this laboratory test to identify the specific bacterial strain.
What is a culture?
A common side effect of tetracyclines, especially in children under 8 years old, is discoloration of this body part.
What are teeth?
This antifungal, used for systemic infections, must be infused over several hours due to severe side effects like nephrotoxicity and infusion reactions.
What is Amphotericin B?
This chemotherapy agent, also used for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inhibits folic acid metabolism.
What is methotrexate?
This broad-spectrum antibiotic class reduces valproic acids.
What are Carbapenems?
This aminoglycoside antibiotic requires careful monitoring of peak and trough levels due to its risk of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
What is gentamicin?
Fluoroquinolones carry a severe risk of rupturing this important structure in the lower leg.
What is the Achilles tendon?
Patients taking isoniazid for tuberculosis should supplement with this vitamin to prevent peripheral neuropathy.
What is Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)?
Some well-known side effect of chemotherapy.
What are alopecia and bone marrow suppression?
This class of antibiotics, known for its "-floxacin" suffix, carries a risk of Achilles tendon rupture and severe photosensitivity.
What are fluoroquinolones?
This macrolide antibiotic, often used as an alternative for penicillin-allergic patients, is associated with QT prolongation and a risk of sudden cardiac death.
What is Azithromycin?
Vancomycin must be infused slowly to avoid this reaction, which causes rash, flushing, and hypotension.
What is Red Man Syndrome?
This antiviral medication is commonly prescribed for herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infections.
What is acyclovir?
This chemotherapy agent can cause severe cardiotoxicity, leading to heart failure.
What is doxorubicin?
This antibiotic combination, often used for pneumocystis pneumonia and UTIs, can cause hyperkalemia and severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
What is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)?
In treating a patient with a severe penicillin allergy, a provider may avoid prescribing this related class of antibiotics.
What are cephalosporins?
Patients taking aminoglycosides like gentamicin should be closely monitored for damage to these two organs.
What are the kidneys and ears (nephrotoxicity & ototoxicity)?
This antifungal class works by disrupting fungal cell membranes.
What are -azoles?
This chemotherapy drug can cause severe bone marrow suppression and is used to treat sickle cell anemia in addition to cancer.
What is hydroxyurea?
This tetracycline antibiotic should not be taken with dairy products, antacids, or iron supplements due to decreased absorption.
Bonus: Patient Admin for this drug
What is doxycycline?
Bonus: Sit up for 30 minutes to prevent esophageal ulceration.
This antibiotic, often used for tuberculosis, inhibits mycolic acid synthesis and requires vitamin B6 supplementation to prevent peripheral neuropathy.
What is isoniazid?
Sulfonamide antibiotics can cause this rare but life-threatening skin reaction characterized by severe blistering and peeling.
What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
Patients taking rifampin for tuberculosis should be warned about this harmless but startling side effect affecting bodily fluids.
What is red-orange discoloration of urine, sweat, and tears?
Cyclophosphamide can cause this severe urinary side effect, which presents with blood in the urine.
What is hemorrhagic cystitis?