Drug Index

Generic Name MOA Clinical Uses Side Effects/ Contraindications Dosage

Penicillin G Active against some gram- Interferes with bacterial cell wall Use with caution in patients with impaired renal Benzyl Pen G:
positive organisms, few gram- synthesis during active function, seizure disorder, or history of 100,000 – 200,000 ukd q6
negative organisms such as multiplication, causing cell wall death hypersensitivity to other beta-lactams; CDC and 400,000 ukd q6 – meningitic dose
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and some and resultant bactericidal activity AAP do not currently recommend the use of Max: 2MU q6
anaerobes and spirochetes; used against susceptible bacteria penicillin G benzathine to treat congenital
in the treatment of syphilis; used syphilis or neurosyphilis due to reported Benzathine Pen G:
only for the treatment of mild to treatment failures and lack of published clinical 600,000 u if <27 kg
moderately severe infections data on its efficacy. 1.2mu if >27 kg
caused by organisms susceptible
to low concentrations of
penicillin G or for prophylaxis of
infections caused by these
organisms
Interferes with bacterial protein Susceptible against gram-negative Hypersensitivity to gentamicin or other 5-6 mkd OD IV (80 mg/ 2 ml)
Gentamicin synthesis by binding to 30S and organisms including Pseudomonas, aminoglycosides.
50S ribosomal subunits resulting Proteus, Serratia, and gram-positive Not intended for long-term therapy due to toxic
in a defective bacterial cell Staphylococcus; treatment of bone hazards associated with extended
membrane infections, respiratory tract administration; pre-existing renal insufficiency,
infections, skin and soft tissue vestibular or cochlear impairment, myasthenia
infections, as well as abdominal and gravis, hypocalcemia, conditions which depress
urinary tract infections, endocarditis, neuromuscular transmission
and septicemia; used topically to
treat superficial infections of the skin Common side effects:
or ophthalmic infections caused by Central nervous system: Neurotoxicity (vertigo,
susceptible bacteria; prevention of ataxia)
bacterial endocarditis prior to dental Neuromuscular & skeletal: Gait instability
or surgical procedures Otic: Ototoxicity (auditory), ototoxicity
(vestibular)
Renal: Nephrotoxicity, decreased creatinine
clearance

Paracetamol Produces analgesia by raising the Pyrexia of unknown origin and for C/I: Nephropathy 10-20 mg/kg/dose
threshold of the pain center in symptomatic relief of fever and pain. A/E:
the brain and by obstructing For prevention of febrile convulsions. Rare.
impulses at the pain-mediating Headache, cold, sinusitis, muscle From chronic use: skin eruption, hematological
chemoreceptors. pain, arthritis and toothache. toxicity like thrombocytopenia and leucopenia,
Produces antipyresis by an action methemglobinaemia which can result in cyanosis
on the hypothalamus. Heat and on long term use, renal damage.
dissipation is increased as a result
of vasodilatation and increased
peripheral blood flow.
Ceftazidime Inhibits bacterial cell wall Treatment of documented Hypersensitivity to ceftazidime, any 50 mkd OD IV – sepsis
synthesis by binding to one or susceptible Pseudomonas component, or cephalosporins. 100 mkd OD – meningitis
more of the penicillin-binding aeruginosa infection and (500 mg vial, 1 g vial)
proteins (PBPs) which in turn infections due to other 1% to 10%:
inhibits the final susceptible aerobic gram- Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea (1.3%)
transpeptidation step of negative organisms; empiric Local: Pain at injection site (1.4%)
peptidoglycan synthesis in therapy of a febrile, Miscellaneous: Hypersensitivity reactions
bacterial cell walls, thus granulocytopenic patient (2%)
inhibiting cell wall
 biosynthesis. Bacteria
eventually lyse due to
ongoing activity of cell wall
autolytic enzymes (autolysins
and murein hydrolases) while
cell wall assembly is arrested.
Fluconazole Interferes with cytochrome P- Treatment of systemic Should be used with caution in patients The daily dose of fluconazole is the same
450 activity, decreasing infections, meningitis and severe with renal and hepatic dysfunction or for oral and I.V. administration
ergosterol synthesis (principal superficial mycoses caused by previous hepatotoxicity from other azole
sterol in fungal cell Candida species. Resistance has derivatives. Patients who develop Children: Once-daily dosing by indication:
membrane) and inhibiting cell been reported with C. Glabrata abnormal liver function tests during - Oropharyngeal candidiasis:
membrane formation and C. Krusei and in patient fluconazole therapy should be monitored Day 1: 6 mg/kg; then 3 mg/kg for at least
receiving long term suppressive closely and discontinued if symptoms 14 days
therapy. consistent with liver disease develop. - Systemic candidiasis:
Should be used with caution in patients 6-12 mg/kg/day for at least 28 days
receiving cisapride or astemizole. - Cryptococcal meningitis:
1% to 10%: Day 1: 12 mg/kg; then 6-12 mg/kg for at
Central nervous system: Headache least 10-12 weeks after CSF culture
Dermatologic: Rash becomes negative
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, diarrhea
<1%: Pallor, dizziness, hypokalemia,
increased AST/ALT, or alkaline phosphatase
Ampicillin A semisynthetic penicillin (beta- - Bacterial meningitis A/E: 100 mg/kg/day, q12 (nicu), q6 (pedia)
lactam antibiotic). - Gonorrhea - Common: dermatolocig: rash, urticaria;
Inhibits bacterial cell-wall - Infection of digestive system gastroinetestinal: diarrhea.
synthesis through binding to one - Infetious disease of genitourinary
or more penicillin bind proteins system C/I:
of actively dividing cells. - infective endocarditis Hypersensitivity to ampicillin products/penicillins
May be bactericidal or - Respiratory tract infection
bacteriostatic depending on drug - Septicemia
concentration and
microorganism involved.
Ineffective against penicillinase-
producing organisms
Amikacin Inhibits protein synthesis in Treatment of serious infections Hypersensitivity to amikacin sulfate or any 15 mkd q8, q12, OD
susceptible bacteria by due to organisms resistant to component; cross-sensitivity may exist with (50 mg/ml, 250 mg/ml vial)
binding to 30S ribosomal gentamicin and tobramycin other aminoglycosides
subunits including Pseudomonas, Proteus,
Serratia, and other gram-positive 1% to 10%:
bacilli (bone infections, Central nervous system: Neurotoxicity
respiratory tract infections, Otic: Ototoxicity (auditory), ototoxicity
endocarditis, and septicemia); (vestibular)
documented infection of Renal: Nephrotoxicity
mycobacterial organisms <1%: Hypotension, headache, drowsiness,
susceptible to amikacin drug fever, rash, nausea, vomiting,
eosinophilia, paresthesia, tremor,
arthralgia, weakness, dyspnea
Piperacillin + Tazobactam Bind to penicillin-binding G+ cocci (Staphylococcus, C/I: 50-100 mkdo q12 (1g, 2g vial via infusion
proteins of bacteria; inhibit Streptococcus, Enterococcus). Hypersensitivity to penicillins, syringe pump over 30 minutes)
 bacterial cell wall G+ rods (clostridium) cephalosporins or β-lactamase inhibitors.
peptidoglycan synthesis & G- cocci (Neisseria)
activate bacterial cell wall G- rods (Bacterioides, A/E:
autolytic enzymes. Fusobacaterium, Klebsiella, Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash,
Moraxella, Morganella, Proteus, leucopenia, neutropenia,
Pseudomonas, Serratia) thrymbocytopenia, hypersensitivity
reaction, headache, insomnia, hyptension,
phylebitis, thrombophlebitis, constipatin,
dyspepsia, jaundice, stomatitis, increased
blood creatine, pruritus, urticaria and
fever.
Diazepam A benzodiazepine derivative, is Anxiety C/I: 0.3 mg/kg/dose
an anxiolytic, agent that reduces Sedation Hepatic insufficiency, severe
neuronal depolarization resulting Seizure Hypersensitivity to diazepam
in decreased action potentials. Skeletal muscle spasm Myasthenia gravis
It enhances the action of GABA Status epilepticus Narrow-angle glaucoma, acute
by tightly binding to A-type GABA Respiratory insufficiency, severe
receptors, thus opening the Sleep apnea syndrome
membrane channels and allowing
the entry of chloride ions. A/E:
Cardiovascular: hypotension
Dermatologic: rash
Gastrointestinal: diarrhea
Musculoskeletal: muscle weakness
Neurologic: ataxia, incoordination, somnolence
Psychiatric: euphoria
Repiratory: respiratory depression
Others: fatigue
Hematologic: neutropenia
Acyclovir A synthetic purine nucleoside Genital herpes simplex C/I: hypersensitivity to acyclovir or 60 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hr IV
analog with inhibitory activity Herpes simples, mucocutatneous valacyclovir or to any other component of
against HSV types 1 (HSV-1), Herpes zoster, Shingles the product.
HSV-2 and VZV. Acyclovir Recurrent herpes simplex labialis A/E:
triphosphate, a converted Varicella Dermatologic: contact dermatitis
form of acyclovir stops GI: Diarrhea, nausea, comiting
replication of herpes viral DA Neuro: headache
by competitive inhibition of Other: Malaise
viral DNA polymerase,
incorporation into and
termination of the growng
viral DNA chain, and
inactivation of the viral DNA
polymerase.