Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science
Antibiotics and Antimicrobials
Up to 50 percent of patient’s reporting an allergy to antibiotics are not truly allergic, yet the “allergic” label is established in the patient’s medical record. This leads to withholding the first-line antimicrobial therapies even when alternatives may have adverse clinical outcomes and be less efficacious. Assistant Professor Lisa Charneski, PharmD, has initiated a study to determine if patients labeled as allergic fare worse clinically when compared to those not labeled with an allergy. Her preliminary research shows that length of stay, readmission rates and even death rates are likely higher for those labeled allergic to antibiotics. Charneski’s work may lead to an intake process to evaluate patients for the presence of a true immunologic allergy.
Antimicrobial resistance is escalating. Drug-resistant streptococci and methicillin-resistant S. Aureus (MRSA) have emerged as urgent health problem for schools, clinics and hospitals across the US. Assistant Professor Kelly M. Summers, PharmD, conducted a review of a second-generation antimicrobial called dalbavacin. “This new antibiotic has unique pharmacokinetic parameters and is proven effective in many studies against highly resistant gram-positive pathogens,” reports Summers. Infusions of dalbavancin to treat skin infections as well as catheter-related blood stream infections, have resulted in optimal results with minimal side effects.
PPS publications on the topic of antibiotics and antimicrobials are noted below:
Bailey J, Summers KM. Dalbavancin: a new lipoglycopeptide antibiotic. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2008 Apr 1;65(7): 599-610.
Charneski L, Patel P, Tahir R. Cocaine-induced chest pain. US Pharm 2008 Feb;33(2):HS16-HS25.
Charneski L, Patel P. Eculizumab in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Drugs 2008 Jul;68(10):1341-46.
Taveres De Melo R, Charneski L, Hilas O. Rifaximin for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2008;65:818-22.