Medications for the Treatment of
Infections
Antibiotic vs. Antibacterial
• Used interchangeably• Origin of antibiotic includes any
antimicrobial agent• Antibacterial used to treat bacterial
infection
Classification of Antibacterial Drugs
• Chemical structure• Mechanism of action• Bactericidal vs. Bacteriostatic• Narrow spectrum• Broad spectrum
Antibacterial Agents
• Classification according to mechanism of action
Antimicrobial Resistance
• Drug resistance
Penicillins
• the first -lactam antibiotic• Inhibits cell wall synthesis• Bactericidal • The spectrum of action:
– Most of the Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative cocci
• Primary uses– Urinary tract infection– Respiratory tract infection– Infections of heart– syphilis
Cephalosporins
-lactam antibiotic• Inhibits cell wall
synthesis• Bactericidal • Both gram-positive and
gram-negative activity• Cephalosporins are
classified in generations• Primary uses
– Respiratory tract– Urinary tract– Bacteremia– Skin and soft tissues
Carbapenems
-lactam antibiotic• Inhibits cell wall
synthesis• Bactericidal • Broad spectrum only• Primary uses
– Skin– Urinary tract– Intra-abdominal– Pelvic– Pneumonia
Tetracyclines
• Inhibits protein synthesis• Bacteriostatic• Broad spectrum• Adverse effects
– Epigastric burning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, photosensitivity
• Primary use– RMSF– Cholera– Lyme disease– Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Macrolides
• Inhibits protein synthesis• Bacteriostatic• Adverse effects
– Epigastric irritation, nausea, vomiting• Primary use
– Respiratory tract– Genital– GI– Skin and soft tissue
Aminoglycosides
• Inhibits protein synthesis• Gram (-) bacteria
– Urinary and respiratory tract infections– Topical - skin, eyes, ears
• Narrow spectrum• Adverse reactions
– Ototoxicity– Nephrotoxicity
Fluoroquinolones
• Inhibit DNA synthesis• Bactericidal• Broad spectrum• Primary use
– Urinary tract– Respiratory tract– Prostate, GI– Bones, joints, soft tissues
• Adverse reactions– Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness
Glycopeptides
• Inhibit cell wall synthesis• Gram positive cocci• Critically ill or
hypersensitivity to the β-lactams
• Last line of defense for cases of MRSA– Vancomycin
• Side effects– 'Red man syndrome’– Nephrotoxicity– Neutropenia and deafness
• Oral and intravenous
Topical Antibacterial Agents
• Use is mostly prophylactic– Can treat some superficial wound
infections
• Topicals typically contain mixture of antibacterial agents
• “Trainer’s trick” caring for turf burn
Antifungals
• 2 types – Oral used for subcutaneous and systemic mycoses– Topical used for superficial mycoses
• Work by disrupting fungal membrane functions• If using oral form to fight tenacious infection
(under nail beds), may be advised to take prior to exercise– Perspiration distributes medication
• Often effects areas of high moisture
Antifungals
• Ointments work better than powders• May be combined w/ a topical
corticosteroid• Types
Role of Athletic Trainer
• Educate regarding infections• Educate regarding compliance• Monitor for allergies• Monitor for common adverse
reactions• Monitor for effectiveness
