EditWatch this page
Broad-spectrum antibiotic
The term broad-spectrum antibiotic refers to an antibiotic that acts against a wide range of disease-causing bacteria.[1] 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.[2] An example of a commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic is ampicillin.[3]
Contents
Uses
Risks
Examples
See also
References
External links
Uses Edit
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are properly used in the following medical situations:
Empirically (i.e., based on the experience of the practitioner), prior to the formal identification of the causative bacteria, when there is a wide range of possible illnesses and a potentially serious illness would result if treatment is delayed. This occurs, for example, in meningitis, where the patient can become fatally ill within hours if broad-spectrum antibiotics are not initiated.
For drug resistant bacteria that do not respond to other, more narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
In the case of superinfections, where there are multiple types of bacteria causing illness, thus warranting either a broad-spectrum antibiotic or combination antibiotic therapy.
For prophylaxis after an operation, in order to prevent bacterial infections occurring.