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Review
. 2013 Fall;60(3):111-22; quiz 123.
doi: 10.2344/0003-3006-60.3.111.

Antimicrobial drugs

Daniel E Becker  1
Affiliations
Review

Antimicrobial drugs

Daniel E Becker. Anesth Prog. 2013 Fall.

Abstract

Antibiotics play a vital role in dental practice for managing orofacial infections. They are used to manage existing infection and they are also used as prophylaxis for certain medical conditions and surgical procedures. This article will review pharmacological and therapeutic considerations for the proper use of these agents for dental infections.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Beta lactam structure. Penicillins and cephalosporins contain a beta lactam ring (asterisk) that conveys their antimicrobial action and is the target for microbial resistance.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Managing penicillin-allergic patients.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Clavulanic acid. The molecular structure of clavulanic acid resembles that of penicillin enough to compete for beta lactamases that are secreted by resistant microorganisms. This limits the amount of enzyme available to inactivate the penicillin.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Step approach to empiric antibiotic therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Drug Facts and Comparisons in Clin-Eguide. New York, NY: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2012.
    1. Campagna JD, Bond MC, Schabelman E, Hayes BD. The use of cephalosporins in penicillin-allergic patients: a literature review. J Emerg Med. 2012;42:612–620. - PubMed
    1. Solensky R. Allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;130:1442. - PubMed
    1. Abramowicz M. Cephalosporins for patients with penicillin allergy. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2012;54:101. ed. - PubMed
    1. Stern RS. Clinical practice. Exanthematous drug eruptions. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:2492–2501. - PubMed

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