Antibiotics Used for MRSA

Fighting a Tough Foe-MRSA

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a tough foe to fight. It is quite resistant to many antibiotics, so there is a smaller arsenal that can be used to win the fight. It doesn’t matter that freely prescribed antibiotics (to humans and food producing animals) are probably responsible for MRSA developing, once you get it, you need to fight it with the very medicine that probably caused its evolution-antibiotics. Though antibiotics are necessary to treat the infection, there are a limited number of them that are effective against MRSA. Since researchers are on a constant quest to discover more, the effective antibiotics could change. In addition, MRSA strains that are resistant to current (2011) antibiotics may develop, which can also affect this number of antibiotics that are used for MRSA.

To treat a MRSA strain effectively, a doctor will need to determine the stain of MRSA. Often a wide spectrum antibiotic is administered at the onset and then the most effective antibiotic will be prescribed when the specific strain is identified. MRSA strains not only vary within a country, but different countries will have a strain that is dominant or common in their country. Other strains may be introduced by visitors from other countries. Hospital acquired MRSA is the most difficult to treat even in the United States, England (UK), Canada, Australia and other developed countries. Below are some of the antibiotics that are used to treat MRSA.

Treating MRSA with the Antibiotic Cephalosporin

Cephalosporin is the newest antibiotic to be used to treat MRSA. It was discovered in 1948 and is similar to penicillin. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic. The 5th generation of Cephalosporin was just released in January 2011 for the effective treatment of MRSA. One of the advantages of using Cephalosporin is that it is quickly cleared from the kidneys. It also appears to be safe for uses in pediatric cases of MRSA

Some side effects include diarrhea, nausea, rash, electrolyte disturbances, and/or pain and inflammation at injection site. Side effects can be minimized with proper monitoring of administration.

Treating MRSA with the Antibiotic Vancomycin

Vancomycin is an antibiotic that has been proven to treat CA-MRSA most effectively according to a Henry Ford Hospital Study that was presented to the 48th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in Vancouver. This antibiotic is not widely used and has been reserved for stubborn infections that are resistant to most antibiotic treatment and is used as a last resort. It was discovered in 1953 and was used on penicillin resistant infections. It was never a first line drug because of the following reasons:

  • Needed to be given intravenously
  • Effective semi-synthetic penicillin development
  • Early impure forms caused toxicity to ears and kidneys

The most common side effect includes localized pain. Other side effects like allergic reactions, chest pain, flu-like symptoms, unusual bleeding, bruising, etc when pure forms are used like they currently are. administration is carefully monitored during the use of Vancomycin so any complications can be dealt with immediately.

Treating MRSA with the Antibiotic Linezolid

Linezolid is an antibiotic that has been proven effective in treating MRSA infections. It was discovered in 1999. It is a relatively safe, but expensive drug that is effective because of the minimal amount of resistant strains. It is usually reserved for deep and serious infections.

The most common side effect includes localized pain. Side effects like allergic reactions, constipation, flu-like symptoms, sleep problems, etc. may also occur. Possible serious side effects include blood clotting problems and bone marrow development interference. Careful monitoring can reduce side affect risks.

With the right antibiotics, The MRSA Infection can be treated successfully.

MRSA Superbug History

Learn the MRSA Superbug History.