Select Committee on Science and Technology Seventh Report


APPENDIX 7

Some important antimicrobial agents

Agent
Principal applications
â-lactams
Penicillin Streptococci, pneumococci
Flucloxacillin/cloxacillin/methicillin Staphylococci
Ampicillin/amoxycillin ± clavulanate Staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, plus common respiratory and enteric organisms
Cephalosporins (1st, 2nd and 3rd generations) As above, with enhanced stability to â-lactamases and hospital pathogens; broad spectrum
Carbapenems (e.g. imipenem) Very broad spectrum activity against hospital pathogens
Macrolides

Erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and others

Streptococci, pneumococci, Legionella etc (± staphylococci)
Fluoroquinolones

(also known simply as quinolones) Ciprofloxacin and many more

Enteric, urinary and respiratory tract pathogens; used also for hospital infections
Aminoglycosides
Streptomycin TB
Gentamicin and amikacin Broad spectrum: hospital pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Glycopeptides

Vancomycin and teicoplanin

MRSA, enterococci
Rifamycins

Rifampicin and others

TB; prophylaxis against meningococcal disease
Miscellaneous anti-TB agents

Isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol

TB
Folate inhibitors

Trimethoprim ± sulphonamides (`Septrin')

Urinary tract infections (some in respiratory tract disease)
Streptogramins Being developed against MRSA and enterococci
Oxazolidinones Being developed against MRSA and enterococci



 
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