Anti-Fungal and Anti-Infective Medications
Medications given to treat fungal or bacterial infections include penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin (Amoxil), cephalexin (Keflex), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefixime (Suprax), cefadroxil (Duricef), erythromycin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), azithromycin (Zithromax), nitrofurantoin (Furaton, Macrobid), trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim, Cotrim), dicloxazcillin (Dynapen), mupirocin (Bactroban), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), minocycline, ofloxacin (Floxin), tetracycline , doxycycline, metronidazole (Flagyl), bacitracin, polymixin B, triple antibiotic ointment with bacitracin zinc/neomycin sulfate/polymyxin B sulfate (Neosporin, Polysporin), fluconazole (Diflucan), terbinafine (Lamisil), mycostatin (Nystatin), clotrmazole (Mycelex), and tolnaftate (Tinactin).
What do anti-fungal and anti-infectant medications do?
- These medications are used to treat fungal or bacterial infections. Some of these medications can be applied on the body surface while others may be taken by mouth.
What should I tell the healthcare professional about the individual who will be taking these medications?
- Tell the healthcare professional about any alcohol or medications (prescriptions, or nonprescription) that the patient is taking.
- Tell if the individual is pregnant.
- Tell if the individual has liver or kidney disease.
- Tell about any antibiotics or antifungal medications recently taken and the effects or failures of these medications.
- Tell if the individual has an allergy to any medications or experienced a rash or difficulty breathing in the past after taking a medication.
How should I give this medication and how should I store it?
- Give these medications by mouth unless indicated on the prescription.
- You can give these medications either with or without food unless indicated on the prescription.
- Give these medications on time and as prescribed.
- Store these medications at room temperature except for liquids, which may need refrigeration. Follow instructions on the prescription.
- Store AWAY from places with high moisture such as in bathrooms or over sinks.
What side effects should I look for and when might I see them?
- The person taking the medication may have stomach distress, diarrhea, irritation where you apply topical medications, or the infection may get worse.
- Report immediately any skin rash, hives, or shortness of breath.
Where can I find more information about Anti-Fungal and Anti-Infective Medications?
- Drugs.com - Prescription drug information.
- Fungal Infections: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fungalinfections.html
- Bacterial Infections: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bacterialinfections.html