Antibiotics
Choosing an antibiotic
Consider patient factors:
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Allergy
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Renal and hepatic function
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Immune status
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Ability to tolerate oral medication
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Severity of the illness
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Pregnancy, breastfeeding, taking oral contraceptive?
Consider the organism :
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What is the likely organism?
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What is its likely or proven sensitivity?
Before starting therapy
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Always take samples for C+S, do not prescribe blindly before samples taken
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Dose will vary according to age, weight, renal function and severity of infection
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Route of administration depends on the severity of the infection,
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Duration of therapy, for most conditions 5 days is enough but for TB or osteomyelitis relatively long courses required
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Remember the risk of superinfection (eg pseudomembranous colitis, candida) more likely with broad spectrum antibiotics
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