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Unasyn

Ampicillin/sulbactam is a combination of the common penicillin-derived antibiotic ampicillin and sulbactam, an inhibitor of bacterial beta-lactamase. Two different forms of the drug exist. The first, developed in 1987 and marketed in the United States under the tradename Unasyn, is an intravenous antibiotic. The second, an oral form called sultamicillin, is marketed under the trade name Ampictam outside of the United States. Ampicillin/sulbactam is used to treat infections caused by bacteria resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. Sulbactam blocks the enzyme which breaks down ampicillin and thereby allows ampicillin to attack and kill the bacteria. more...

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Ampicillin/sulbactam is also used when the cause of an infection is not known (empiric therapy). Intra-abdominal infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and gynecologic infections. It is active against a wide range of bacterial groups, including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriaceae, and anaerobic bacteria. Importantly, it is not active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and should not be used alone when infection with this organism is suspected or known.

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DRUG CHALLENGE
From Nursing, 3/1/04 by Gever, Marcy Portnoff

You routinely administer combination drugs. . .but do you know what's in them? To find out, match each combination of ingredients in section II with its correct name in Section I.

SECTION I

_____1. Percodan (Endo)

_____2. Cosopt (Merck)

_____3. Trinalin (Schering)

_____4. Loestrin Fe (Parke-Davis)

_____5. Unasyn (Pfizer)

SECTION II

a. oxycodone HCl, 4.5 mg; oxycodone terephthalate, 0.38 mg; aspirin, 325 mg

Prescribed to relieve moderately severe pain, this Schedule II combination contains the analgesics oxycodone, an opioid, and aspirin, a nonopioid. Warn your patient to gauge his response before driving-the drug may cause dizziness, sedation, nausea, and vomiting.

b. norethindrone acetate, 1.0 mg, 1.5 mg; ethinyl estradiol, 20 mcg, 30 mcg; ferrous fumarate, 75 mg

A woman with dysmenorrhea may receive this oral contraceptive to decrease bleeding and the risk of anemia. The first 21 white or green tablets contain norethindrone, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen. The 7 brown tablets contain ferrous fumarate (iron)tell your patient not to skip them.

c. each ml contains: dorzolamide, 20 mg; timolol, 5 mg

Both drugs in this combination help decrease elevated intraocular pressure, such as that caused by open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension: dorzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and timolol, a nonselective beta-blocker. Tell your patient to administer doses at least 10 minutes apart from other topical ophthalmic drugs.

d. ampicillin sodium, 1 gram, 2 grams; sulbactam sodium, 0.5 gram, 1 gram

Used to treat intra-abdominal and gynecologic infections caused by beta-lactamase producing Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella, this combination contains ampicillin, a penicillin-type antibiotic, and sulbactam sodium, which inactivates beta-lactamase enzymes. Doses may be administered I.M. or I.V.

e. azatadine maleate, 1 mg; pseudoephedrine sulfate, 120 mg

This combination is prescribed to relieve allergy symptoms. Azatadine is an antihistamine; pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. Warn your patient that the medication can cause drowsiness and dizziness and to see how she reacts before doing anything that requires alertness.

BY MARCY PORTNOFF GEVER, PHARMD. MED

Marcy Portnoff Gever is an independent pharmacist consultant and educator in Ringoes, N.J.

Copyright Springhouse Corporation Mar 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

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