These have a broad spectrum of activity and include the following drugs:Cefotaxine (Biotax, Clazforn, Omnatax), Ceftazidime (Fotum), Ceftizoxime (Cefizox), Cefoperazone (Magnamycin), Ceftriaxone (Cefaxone, Monocef), Cefixime (Cefspan, Topcef), Cefdinir (Adcef), Cefpodoxime (Cepodem) Ceftibuten (Procadax).
Due to their ability to penetrate the central nervous sxstem, third-generation cephalosporins - except cefoperazone and cefixime - can be used to treat meningitis, including meningitis caused by pneumococci, meningococci, H influenzae, and susceptible gram-negative rods (bacillary infections of alimentary system). Cefoperazone and ceftazidine are effective in pseudomonas infections of various body organs. In these infections an aminoglycoslde such as gentamicin is also given. Other potential indications include sepsis of unknown causes in the immunocompetent patient and susceptible infections in which cephalosporins are the least toxic drugs available. In neutropenic, febrile immunocompromised patients, third-generation cephalosporins can be effective if used in combination with an aminoglycoslde. They are commonly used in hospital settings in patients with serious systemic infections. Ceficime, cefdinir, cefpodoxime and ceftibuten are effective orally also.
Fourth-Generation Cephalosporins
Cefepime (Kefage) can be used in resistant infections due to gram negative rods and staphylococci causing septicemia. Cefpirome (Cepodem, Cefoprox) has same utility as cefepime. These are very expensive.
Adverse Effects of Cephalosporins: Allergy: Cephalosporins are sensitizing and may variety of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, fever, skin rashes, nephritis, granulocytopenia, and hemolytic anaemia. The chemical nucleus of cephalosporins is sufficiently different from that of penicillins, enabling some individuals with a history of penicillin allergy to tolerate cephalosporins. However, patients with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillins should never receive cephalosporins.
Toxicity: Local irri!ation can produse severe pain after intramuscular injection and thrombophlebitis after intravenous injection. Renal toxicity, including interstitial nephritis (kidney tissue swelling) and even tubular necrosis, has been demonstrated and has caused the abandonment of cephaloridine.
Cephalosporins that contain a methylthiotetrazole group (for example, ceftriaxone, cefoperazone) frequently cause hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding disorders. Adminstration of vitamin K, 10 mg twice weekly, can prevent this. White cells count and platelet count are reduced in rare cases.
Drugs with the 'methylthiotetrazole ring can also cause severe reaction with alcohol (intolerance), consequently, alcohol and alcohol-containing medications must be avoided.
Super-Infection
Many second and particularly third generation cephalosporins are ineffective against grampositive organisms, especially stayphylococci and enterococci. During treatment with such drugs, these resistant organisms, as well as fungi, often proliferate and may induce super infection.
Linezolid (Lizolid, Linox)
It is effective in resistant pneumococci, staphylococci and enteric organisms induced infections. It may cause suppression of bone marrow and interacts with decongestant drugs whose dose should be reduced.
Fluoroquinolones
Ciprofloxacin (Cipad, Ciplox, Cipride), Norfloxacin (Anquin, Biofloxin, Norflox), Ofloxacin (Travid, Zanocid), Pefloxacin (Peflox, Piflasyn), Lomefloxacin (Lomef), Sparfloxacin (Torospar), Levofloxacin (Loxof), and Gatifloxacin (Gatri)
In 1990 fluoroquinolones were introduced to tackle ever increasing menace of resistance gram-negative rods. Since then many more drugs have been developed which have effects against both gram positive and negative bacteria, anaerobes and tuberculosis organisms. These drugs affect the DNA of bacteria. Unfortunately due to overuse, resistance is becoming the problem again.
Ciprofloxacin is presently a drug of choice for typhoid fever, (chloramphenicol is no longer used) gonorrhoea, abdominal (bowel) infections and diarrhoea, soft tissue and bone infections. It can be used 500 mg twice a day orally or intravenously in serious cases.
Adverse Effects: Some of the adverse effects of ciprofloxacin are loss of appetite, nausea and bowel upset, dizziness, restlessness, loss of sleep, poor concentration and tremulousness (avoid driving). Drug allergy may cause skin eruptions. A potentially serious problem is that it may cause cartilage damage as based on animal studies so should be used sparingly in children (although it is best to avoid it). Theophylline, caffeine, warfarm show toxicity when taken with ciprofloxacin and require staggering or reduction in dose. Pain relievers may cause more CNS adverse effects of ciprofloxacin. Antacids, milk and iron salts reduce absorption of ciprofloxacin, therefore, do not take with milk or after meals.
Norfloxacin is less potent to ciprojloxacin but is effective in the treatment of urinary tract infection and diarrhoea. Its usual dose is 400 mg twice a day in adult and it is not recommended for children.
Pefloxacin is a good drug for meningeal infections and typhoid fever. A single dose of 400 cures gonorrhoea.
Ofloxacin is effective in urethritis, cervicitis and atypical pneumonia. It is useful in tuberculosis also. Food does not reduce its absorption.
Sparfloxacin has greater activity to treat pneumonia, sinus infection, and ear infections, It is longer acting so it given in a dose of 200-400 mg once a day. It may cause disturbed heart beats particularly when other drugs are given along with it (drugs for depression and cisapride).
Gatefloxacin is like sparfloxacin in action and is increasingly used for the treatment of pneumonia, gonorrhoea, and urinary passage infections. Usual dose is 400 mg once a day. It has the same drawbacks as sparfloxacin.
Levofloxacin is completely absorbed orally and is less likely to interact with drugs (unlike ciprojloxacin and others). High cure rates are achieved in pneumonia, sinusitis, acute kidney infections and soft tissue infections. It is used in a dose of 500 mg once a day.
By: Franchis
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ALLERGIC
An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mite, molds, danders, and foods. To understand the language of allergy it is important to remember that allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people.
When an allergen comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in persons who are allergic to it. When you inappropriately react to allergens that are normally harmless to other people, you are having an allergic reaction and can be referred to as allergic or atopic. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic."
Austrian pediatrician Clemens Pirquet (1874-1929) first used the term allergy. He referred to both immunity that was beneficial and to the harmful hypersensitivity as "allergy." The word allergy is derived from the Greek words "allos," meaning different or changed and "ergos," meaning work or action. Allergy roughly refers to an "altered reaction." The word allergy was first used in 1905 to describe the adverse reactions of children who were given repeated shots of horse serum to fight infection. The following year, the term allergy was proposed to explain this unexpected "changed reactivity."
From: MedicineNet.Com
When an allergen comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in persons who are allergic to it. When you inappropriately react to allergens that are normally harmless to other people, you are having an allergic reaction and can be referred to as allergic or atopic. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic."
Austrian pediatrician Clemens Pirquet (1874-1929) first used the term allergy. He referred to both immunity that was beneficial and to the harmful hypersensitivity as "allergy." The word allergy is derived from the Greek words "allos," meaning different or changed and "ergos," meaning work or action. Allergy roughly refers to an "altered reaction." The word allergy was first used in 1905 to describe the adverse reactions of children who were given repeated shots of horse serum to fight infection. The following year, the term allergy was proposed to explain this unexpected "changed reactivity."
From: MedicineNet.Com
PNEUMONIA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the lung.[1] Frequently, it is described as lung parenchyma/alveolar inflammation and abnormal alveolar filling with fluid. (The alveoli are microscopic air-filled sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere.) Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and chemical or physical injury to the lungs. Its cause may also be officially described as idiopathic—that is, unknown—when infectious causes have been excluded.
Typical symptoms associated with pneumonia include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty in breathing. Diagnostic tools include x-rays and examination of the sputum. Treatment depends on the cause of pneumonia; bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.
Pneumonia is a common illness which occurs in all age groups, and is a leading cause of death among the elderly and people who are chronically and terminally ill. Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. The prognosis depends on the type of pneumonia, the appropriate treatment, any complications, and the person's underlying health.
Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the lung.[1] Frequently, it is described as lung parenchyma/alveolar inflammation and abnormal alveolar filling with fluid. (The alveoli are microscopic air-filled sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere.) Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and chemical or physical injury to the lungs. Its cause may also be officially described as idiopathic—that is, unknown—when infectious causes have been excluded.
Typical symptoms associated with pneumonia include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty in breathing. Diagnostic tools include x-rays and examination of the sputum. Treatment depends on the cause of pneumonia; bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.
Pneumonia is a common illness which occurs in all age groups, and is a leading cause of death among the elderly and people who are chronically and terminally ill. Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. The prognosis depends on the type of pneumonia, the appropriate treatment, any complications, and the person's underlying health.
Prevention
There are several ways to help prevent infections that can develop into pneumonia. The easiest is to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth 2-3 times per day and flossing daily. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Other suggestions to help prevent pneumonia include the following:
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
If you smoke, take steps to quit. Talk with a health care provider about resources that are available to help.
Wear a dust mask or appropriate ventilator in environments that contain dust, animal dander, or chemical fumes.
Talk with a health care provider about vaccines that can help prevent pneumonia.
If you have a cold or the flu, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Protect others by washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing.
Studies of children in developing countries show that fewer cases of pneumonia were reported after foods that contain the mineral zinc were added to the diet. Lean red meat, seafood, beans, and whole grains contain zinc. Ask a health care provider for more information.
Know the symptoms of pneumonia and seek medical attention as soon as possible if these symptoms develop.
From: HealthCommunities.Com
Other suggestions to help prevent pneumonia include the following:
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
If you smoke, take steps to quit. Talk with a health care provider about resources that are available to help.
Wear a dust mask or appropriate ventilator in environments that contain dust, animal dander, or chemical fumes.
Talk with a health care provider about vaccines that can help prevent pneumonia.
If you have a cold or the flu, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Protect others by washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing.
Studies of children in developing countries show that fewer cases of pneumonia were reported after foods that contain the mineral zinc were added to the diet. Lean red meat, seafood, beans, and whole grains contain zinc. Ask a health care provider for more information.
Know the symptoms of pneumonia and seek medical attention as soon as possible if these symptoms develop.
From: HealthCommunities.Com
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