Topic: AntibioticsSecondary uses
Some antibiotics may have secondary uses, such as the use of demeclocycline (Declomycin,
a tetracycline derivative) to treat the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH) secretion. Other antibiotics may be useful in treating protozoal infections
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Antibiotics : Dosage and Recommended Usage
Dosage varies with drug, route of administration, pathogen, site of infection, and severity.
Additional considerations include renal function, age of patient, and other factors. Consult manufacturers'
recommendations for dose and route.
To minimize risk of adverse reactions and development of resistant strains of bacteria, antibiotics
should be restricted to use in cases where there is either known or a reasonable presumption of bacterial
infection. The use of antibiotics in viral infections is to be avoided. Avoid use of fluroquinolones
for trivial infections.
In severe infections, presumptive therapy with a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as a 3rd generation
cephalosporin may be appropriate. Treatment should be changed to a narrow spectrum agent as soon
as the pathogen has been identified. After 48 hours of treatment,
if there is clinical improvement, an oral antibiotic should be considered.
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