What is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for?

What is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are active against a wider number of bacterial types and, thus, may be used to treat a variety of infectious diseases. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are particularly useful when the infecting agent (bacteria) is unknown.

What do you mean by broad-spectrum antibiotics?

The term “broad spectrum antibiotics” was originally used to designate antibiotics that were effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, in contrast to penicillin, which is effective chiefly against gram-positive organisms, and streptomycin, which is active primarily against gram-negative bacteria.

Is a broad spectrum antibiotic?

A broad-spectrum antibiotic is an antibiotic that acts on the two major bacterial groups, Gram-positive and Gram-negative, or any antibiotic that acts against a wide range of disease-causing bacteria.

Why do doctors prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics?

It also helps to prevent antibiotic overuse. Antibiotic overuse causes resistance. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are more likely to lead to bacteria that resist drugs. This leads to infections that last longer and cost more to treat.

What are the most effective broad-spectrum antibiotics?

Ciprofloxacin. Best use of this new broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Which antibiotic is broad-spectrum antibiotic?

A broad-spectrum antibiotic acts against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, in contrast to a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, which is effective against specific families of bacteria. An example of a commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic is ampicillin.

Are broad spectrum antibiotics better?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are not more effective than narrow-spectrum antibiotics in treating pediatric ARTIs. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics were associated with a lower risk of side effects.

Why do burn victims need broad-spectrum antibiotics?

If wound closure is delayed and the patient becomes infected, requiring treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, these flora may be replaced by yeasts, fungi, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

What does the term broad spectrum antibiotic mean?

broad-spectrum antibiotic(Noun) Any antibiotic that is active against a wide range of bacteria, especially against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: The term broad-spectrum antibiotic refers to an antibiotic that acts against a wide range of disease-causing bacteria.

Can a doctor give you broad spectrum antibiotics?

Instead of prescribing an antibiotic that works only against a select group of bacteria, your doctor can treat you with a course of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which is effective against a wide range of infectious agents [source: Tufts ].

Why are broad spectrum antibiotics used for first hand treatment?

Broad spectrum antibiotics can be given as a first-hand drug, because they affect a wide range of pathogens, before the results from antibiogram are available. If the bacteria have a high resistance to other narrow antibiotics, a doctor may opt for broad spectrum antibiotics which can help with stopping the resistant bacteria.

Why are antibiotics used for a wide range of infections?

They are effective against a wide range of infections caused by a variety of bacteria. So, illnesses caused by both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria can be effectively treated with these antibiotics. They are designed to attack several strains and species of bacteria.

What is meant by the term broad spectrum antibiotics?

The term broad-spectrum antibiotic refers to an antibiotic that acts against a wide range of disease-causing bacteria . A broad-spectrum antibiotic acts against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, in contrast to a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, which is effective against specific families of bacteria.

What is a narrow spectrum antibiotic effective against?

Narrow spectrum antibacterials have limited activity and are primarily only useful against particular species of microorganisms . For example, glycopeptides and bacitracin are only effective against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas polymixins are usually only effective against Gram negative bacteria.

What would a narrow spectrum antibiotic be?

The best example of a narrow-spectrum antibiotic is sodium fusidate, which is formulated to destroy staphylococcal strains of bacteria. Azithromycin , clarithromycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and vancomycin are some of the medications that belong to this class of antibiotics. Broad-spectrum.

Can you get OTC broad spectrum antibiotics?

LA 200, Maxim 200, Byomycin (oxytetracycline 200 mg/ml) This is an over the counter, broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to prevent and treat abortion diseases. It can also be used to treat pinkeye and hoof rot. The usual dosage is 1 cc per 20 pounds of body weight daily for five or more days.