Tuberculosis, once thought to be a disease virtually eliminated in the first world has become a major health concern. Health care workers, the immunosuppressed, and HIV-positive people are particularly at risk. The rising rate of infection with M. tuberculosis along with the increase in antibiotic-resistant strains has made the development of new antibiotics for the treatment of tuberculosis of major importance for public health. Rifapentine (Priften, Hoechst Marion Roussel), a member of the rifamycin class of antibiotics, was approved in June, 1998 for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Author: Donna Brettler
Successful Antibiotic Desensitization
Antibiotics are often an essential component of the therapeutic plan that is developed to improve the clinical course of a patient. Typically, certain antibiotics are better for a given clinical condition. Allergies to these antibiotics, however, may limit the use of these antibiotics and in certain cases may complicate the course of optimal care. Allergies to antibiotics have become an great hindrance to the clinician.
Cipro for Treatment of Anthrax Exposure
Anthrax has caused disease in animals for centuries, but its threat as a biological weapon has become most apparent in the last 80 years. Today at least 17 nations are believed to have offensive biological weapons programs in place, and it is not known for sure how many are working with anthrax. Iraq, in particular, has acknowledged that it is producing anthrax for such potential use. Infection with anthrax, which is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is usually fatal.
Relenza (Zanamivir): antiviral agent for the treatment of influenza
Influenza, commonly called “the flu,“ is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Compared with most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza infection often causes a more severe illness.
Merrem: Carbapenem for Severe Infection
Carbapenem antibiotics were first discovered in the 1970s. The first and only marketed agent in this class was Primaxin, a combination product containing imipenem and the human renal dihyropeptidase-I (DHP-I) antagonist cilastatin.
2 Antiretroviral Drugs: Fuzeon and Reyataz
Since the introduction of zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir) in 1987, a relatively large number of drugs have been developed for the treatment of HIV-induced AIDS. Currently available antiretroviral drugs are subclassified based on their chemical structure and site of action as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs: zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine, stavudine, lamivudine and abacavir), nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs: nevirapine, delavirdine and efavirenz) and protease inhibitors (PIs: saquinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, amprenavir, and lopinavir). The use of these and all antiretrovirals as monotherapy is limited largely by the rapid development of viral resistance. Thus current Public Health Service HIV treatment guidelines recommend the use of drug combinations consisting of three or four anti-AIDS drugs.
Cubicin (Daptomycin): drug for skin infections
Daptomycin (Cubicin) is a cyclic lipopeptide natural product and thus represents a new structural class of antibacterial drugs with a mechanism of action that is different from those of other available antibiotics. It produces its antimicrobial effects by binding to bacterial membranes and causing a rapid depolarization of membrane potential.
Diflucan: Common questions
Are there long-term consequences of yeast infections? How long has Diflucan been around for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections? Can I use Diflucan with oral contraceptives? When should I take Diflucan? How can an oral medication be effective for a vaginal condition? Is Diflucan safe?
Not another yeast infection!
Just last month you had a vaginal yeast infection. It was treated. You breathed a sigh of relief and proceeded with life. Make sure that you really have a yeast infection.
Yeast infection basics
That’s because about 75% of women will have at least 1 vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime. About half of these women have more than one. Fortunately, most yeast infections aren’t serious — especially if you get the right treatment. But symptoms of a yeast infection — which may include vaginal itching, burning, abnormal discharge — can easily be confused with those of other vaginal infections.