Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why are fungal infections often more difficult to treat than bacterial infections?
Why are fungal infections often more difficult to treat than bacterial infections?
- Fungal cells are similar to human cells, so treatments can harm both. (correct)
- Fungal infections are always systemic, requiring IV treatments.
- Fungal cells are more different from human cells, making them harder to target.
- Fungal cells do not reproduce on their own.
Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the use of antibiotics for viral infections?
Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the use of antibiotics for viral infections?
- Antibiotics can cure viral infections by directly attacking the virus's protein structure.
- Antibiotics can be used to prevent viral infections if administered early.
- Antibiotics are the primary treatment for viral infections, helping to weaken the virus.
- Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses because viruses use the host's cells machinery to reproduce. (correct)
A patient is prescribed nystatin oral suspension for thrush. What instructions should be given to the patient regarding its use?
A patient is prescribed nystatin oral suspension for thrush. What instructions should be given to the patient regarding its use?
- Take the medication with food to prevent stomach upset.
- Apply the medication directly to the affected area with a cotton swab.
- Swallow the medication immediately after taking it.
- Swish the medication in the mouth thoroughly, then swallow. (correct)
Why do some patients receive injectable forms of antibiotics via IV rather than oral medications?
Why do some patients receive injectable forms of antibiotics via IV rather than oral medications?
A patient with a known penicillin allergy is prescribed cephalexin. What is the primary concern a pharmacy technician should be aware of?
A patient with a known penicillin allergy is prescribed cephalexin. What is the primary concern a pharmacy technician should be aware of?
Which of the following is the most important reason why a patient taking azithromycin should take it with food?
Which of the following is the most important reason why a patient taking azithromycin should take it with food?
When preparing an IV bag with erythromycin, which solution is compatible for mixing?
When preparing an IV bag with erythromycin, which solution is compatible for mixing?
Which of the following is a key difference between topical and systemic fungal infections?
Which of the following is a key difference between topical and systemic fungal infections?
Amantadine (Symmetrel) is prescribed during flu season to:
Amantadine (Symmetrel) is prescribed during flu season to:
Why are antiviral drugs often more expensive compared to other types of medications?
Why are antiviral drugs often more expensive compared to other types of medications?
Flashcards
Antibiotics
Antibiotics
Drugs that either kill bacteria (bactericidal) or prevent their growth (bacteriostatic).
Antifungals
Antifungals
Drugs that target fungal infections, which can be topical (on the skin) or systemic (inside the body).
Antivirals
Antivirals
Medications used to treat viral infections, which work by interfering with the virus's ability to reproduce.
Penicillin
Penicillin
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Cephalexin (Keflex)
Cephalexin (Keflex)
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Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Azithromycin (Zithromax)
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Nystatin
Nystatin
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Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B
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Amantadine (Symmetrel)
Amantadine (Symmetrel)
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Acyclovir (Zovirax) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
Acyclovir (Zovirax) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
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Study Notes
- Anti-infectives are drugs that combat infections, categorized into antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals.
Antibiotics
- Antibiotics are a class of drugs that either kill bacteria (bactericidal) or prevent their growth (bacteriostatic).
- Antibiotics can be naturally derived, extracted from plants, or synthetically made.
- Community retail pharmacies dispense a majority of prescribed antibiotics.
- Penicillin is a common antibiotic for strep throat, effective against a broad range of bacteria with few side effects, 7-10% of people are allergic.
- Cephalexin (Keflex) is a cephalosporin antibiotic similar to penicillin but with a different mechanism, only a 1% chance of cross-allergy with penicillin.
- Azithromycin (Zithromax) is a macrolide antibiotic prescribed for patients allergic to penicillin and cephalosporins and should be taken with food due to gastrointestinal distress.
- Injectable antibiotics are administered intravenously (IV) for severe infections like pneumonia, allowing quicker access to the infection site, common antibiotics used are penicillins, cephalosporins, and macrolides.
- Ampicillin is the common penicillin form mixed in IV bags with normal saline or dextrose.
- Erythromycin is a macrolide only mixed in normal saline due to incompatibility with dextrose.
- Cephalosporins are classified into generations, with the first three being most commonly used, they can be identified by the prefix "cef-".
Antifungals
- Antifungal medications treat fungal infections which are either topical (on the skin) or systemic (inside the body).
- Systemic infections can be life-threatening, while topical infections include athlete's foot, jock itch, yeast infections, or thrush.
- Nystatin (Mycostatin or Nilstat) oral suspension is used for thrush, with instructions to swish in the mouth and swallow, and auxiliary labels for shaking well.
- Clotrimazole (Mycelex) troches are lozenges for thrush where the patient cannot handle oral solutions.
- Over-the-counter antifungals are available for athlete's foot or jock itch, like Tinactin, Absorbine Jr., and Gold Bond Powder.
- Fluconazole (Diflucan) can be given intravenously for systemic or topical infections, particularly when patients can't tolerate pills.
- Amphotericin B is used to treat blood-borne fungal infections, requires blood work to monitor potential kidney damage or anemia.
Antivirals
- Antivirals help manage but not cure viral infections, focusing on symptom relief, and are expensive because they are synthetic or use human or animal genetic material.
- Amantadine (Symmetrel) preventatively treats influenza A, lessening symptoms.
- Good hygiene and vaccines are the best defense against viruses, vaccines introduce a small amount of the virus to build immunity.
- Acyclovir (Zovirax) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are prescriptions for herpes virus, available in pills or topical creams.
- Wearing gloves when applying topical medicine is encouraged to avoid spreading infection.
- A vaccine is available for chicken pox, but is not 100% successful.
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