Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.
Antibiotics
Class Summary
Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.
Tetracycline (Sumycin)
Mainly bacteriostatic; inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to 30S and to some extent 50S ribosomal subunits. They also may alter cytoplasmic membrane leading to leakage of intracellular components such as nucleotides from the cell.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate (E.E.S., EryPed)
Macrolide antibiotic; inhibits protein synthesis by binding reversibly to 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible microorganisms. Effect may be either bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending on sensitivity of the microorganism and concentration of the drug.
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Exerts antibacterial action by binding to 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria and suppressing protein synthesis.
Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Azalide subclass of macrolide antibiotics, derived from erythromycin. Acts by binding to 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible microorganisms and, thus, interferes with microbial protein synthesis. Nucleic acid synthesis is not affected.
Doxycycline (Doryx, Bio-Tab, Vibramycin)
Inhibits protein synthesis and thus bacterial growth by binding to 30S and possibly 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria. Usual doses of doxycycline may be used in patients with impaired renal function.
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This image reveals a close view of a patient's left eye with the upper lid retracted in order to reveal the inflamed conjunctival membrane lining the inside of both the upper and lower lids, due to what was determined to be a case of inclusion conjunctivitis, a type of conjunctival inflammation caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. Inclusion conjunctivitis, also known as chlamydial conjunctivitis, is more common in newborns. Symptoms include redness of the eye(s), swelling of the eyelids, and discharge of pus, usually 5 to 12 days after birth. Image courtesy of Susan Lindsley, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
