Jagadeeswaran Appusamy

AMOXICILLIN/CLAVULANATE POTASSIUM AMOXICILLIN/CLAVULANIC ACID Chemistry - A beta-lactamase inhibitor, clavulanate potassium occurs as an off-white, crystalline powder that has a pKa of 2.7 (as the acid) and is very soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol at room temperatures. Although available in commercially available preparations as the potassium salt, potency is expressed in terms of clavulanic acid. Synonyms include: clavulanic acid and potassium clavulanate. Storage/Stability/Compatibility - All commercially available amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate products should be stored at temperatures less than 24 o C (75 o F) in tight containers. Potassium clavulanate is reportedly very susceptible to moisture and should be protected from excessive humidity. After reconstitution, oral suspensions are stable for 10 days when refrigerated. Unused portions should be discarded after that time. Pharmacology - Clavulanic acid has only weak antibacterial activit...

AMOXICILLIN Chemistry - An aminopenicillin, amoxicillin is commercially available as the trihydrate. It occurs as a practically odorless, white, crystalline powder that is sparingly soluble in water. Amoxicillin differs structurally from ampicillin only by having an additional hydroxyl group on the phenyl ring. Amoxicillin may also be known as amoxycillin, p -hydroxyampicillin, or BRL 2333. Storage/Stability/Compatibility - Amoxicillin capsules, tablets, and powder for oral suspension should be stored at room temperature (15-30¡C) in tight containers. After reconstitution, the oral suspension should preferably be refrigerated (refrigeration not absolutely necessary) and any unused product discarded after 14 days. After reconstitution, the injectable veterinary suspension is stable for 3 months at room temperature and 12 months when refrigerated. Pharmacology / Uses/Indications - Although there may be some slight differences in activity against certain organisms, ...

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY Questions to ask before selecting an antibiotic: Host factors : 1. Normal or abnormal immune status? 2. Underlying disease that will affect selection &/or dosing? (e.g. renal failure) 3. Seriousness of the infection? Pathogen factors : 4. What are the most likely bugs based on the infection site? 5. Where was the infection acquired? (community or hospital setting?) 6. Local susceptibility patterns? Drug factors : 7. Bioavailability at infected site? (e.g. blood-brain barrier) 8. Broad or narrow spectrum? 9. Bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic? 10. Side effect profile?   General Principles: 1. Be elegant. Use the antibiotic with the narrowest spectrum that covers the pathogen. 2. Be smart. If a patient is very sick or immunocompromised, it’s OK to cover broadly for the first 1-3 days while you identify the pathogen as long as you narrow your choice as soon as possible. 3. Foll...