Antibiotic Coverage Chart_ A Comprehensive Guide

Antibiotic Coverage Chart: A Comprehensive Guide

This chart provides an overview of common antibiotics and their typical coverage. It's important to note that local resistance patterns may vary, and this chart should be used as a general guide rather than a definitive reference.

Penicillins:

Amoxicillin: Streptococcus, some Enterococcus, H. influenzae

Ampicillin: Similar to amoxicillin, plus some E. coli and Proteus

Piperacillin: Broader Gram-negative coverage, including Pseudomonas

Cephalosporins:

1st generation (e.g., Cefazolin): Gram-positive, limited Gram-negative

2nd generation (e.g., Cefuroxime): Improved Gram-negative coverage

3rd generation (e.g., Ceftriaxone): Broad Gram-negative, some Gram-positive

4th generation (e.g., Cefepime): Extended Gram-negative, including Pseudomonas

Carbapenems (e.g., Meropenem):

Very broad spectrum, including many resistant Gram-negatives

Fluoroquinolones:

Ciprofloxacin: Good Gram-negative coverage, some Gram-positive

Levofloxacin: Improved Gram-positive and atypical coverage

Macrolides (e.g., Azithromycin):

Atypical pathogens, some Gram-positive

Tetracyclines (e.g., Doxycycline):

Broad spectrum, including atypicals and some MRSA

Aminoglycosides (e.g., Gentamicin):

Primarily Gram-negative, including Pseudomonas

Glycopeptides (e.g., Vancomycin):

Gram-positive, including MRSA

Oxazolidinones (e.g., Linezolid):

Resistant Gram-positive, including VRE and MRSA

Polymyxins (e.g., Colistin):

Last-resort for multidrug-resistant Gram-negatives

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole:

Various Gram-positive and Gram-negative, good for MRSA

Metronidazole:

Anaerobes and certain protozoa

Clindamycin:

Gram-positive, anaerobes

Nitrofurantoin:

Urinary pathogens (E. coli, Enterococcus)

Key Pathogens and Typical Coverage:

MSSA (Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus):

Cefazolin, oxacillin, nafcillin

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant S. aureus):

Vancomycin, daptomycin, linezolid, TMP-SMX

Pseudomonas aeruginosa:

Cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem, ciprofloxacin

E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae:

3rd gen cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, TMP-SMX

Enterococcus:

Ampicillin (if sensitive), vancomycin, linezolid (for VRE)

Anaerobes:

Metronidazole, clindamycin, carbapenems

Atypical pathogens (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia):

Macrolides, doxycycline, fluoroquinolones

Remember, this chart is a simplified overview. Antibiotic selection should always consider local resistance patterns, patient factors, site of infection, and potential side effects. Consultation with infectious disease specialists and local antibiograms is recommended for optimal antibiotic selection.