Levofloxacin is generally considered to be about twice as active as ofloxacin, the racemic substance. Levofloxacin has a broad spectrum of activity which includes Gram-positive bacteria.
Author: Donna Brettler
Gatifloxacin
Gatifloxacin is reported to have greater activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including pneumococci, than ciprofloxacin.
Fusidic Acid
Fusidic acid is a steroidal antibacterial with a bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity, mainly against Gram-positive bacteria. Fusidic acid inhibits bacterial protein synthesis although, in contrast to drugs such as the macrolides or tetracyclines, it does not bind to the bacterial ribosome, but inhibits a factor necessary for translocation of peptide subunits and elongation of the peptide chain.
Fosfomycin
Fosfomycin is a bactericidal antibacterial. After active uptake into the cell it is reported to interfere with the first step in the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It is active in vitro against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, some streptococci, most Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria spp., and some strains of’ Pseudomonas aeruginosa although some are resistant. Bacteroides spp. are not sensitive.
Flucloxacillin
Flucloxacillin is bactericidal with a mode of action similar to that of benzylpenicillin, but is resistant to sta-phylococcal penicillinase. It is active therefore against penicillinase-producing and non-penicillinase-producing staphylococci. Its activity against streptococci such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Str. pyogenes is less than that of benzylpenicillin, but sufficient to be useful when these organisms are present with penicillin-resistant staphylococci.
Trecator-SC (Ethionamide)
Ethionamide is active only against mycobacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. kansasii, M. leprae, and some strains of M. avium complex. Resistance develops rapidly if used alone and there is complete cross-resistance between ethionamide and protionamide. Cross-resistance has been reported in vitro with isoniazid or with thioacetazone.
Ethambutol Hydrochloride
Pharmacopoeias. In China, Europe, International, Japan, US, and Vietnam. European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Ethambutol Hydrochloride).
Etravirine
The most common adverse effects associated with antiretroviral regimens containing etravirine are nausea and skin rash (usually mild to moderate) and generally appearing in the second week of treatment and resolving within 1 to 2 weeks. Severe skin reactions, including erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have occurred. Raised liver enzyme values, glucose levels, and serum-cholesterol and -triglyceride concentrations have been reported.
Fuzeon (Enfuvirtide)
The most common adverse effects associated with antiretroviral regimens containing enfuvirtide are local injection site reactions with resultant pain, erythema, induration, nodules and cysts, pruritus, and ecchymosis. These reactions have been reported to occur in 98% of patients, but only a small minority needed to stop therapy. Other very common adverse effects include nausea, diarrhoea, weight loss, and peripheral neuropathy.
Emtricitabine (Truvada)
The most common adverse effects associated with antiretroviral regimens containing emtricitabine are headache, diarrhoea, and nausea; hyperpigmented skin discoloration is very common in children and common in adults. Other common adverse effects include abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, abnormal dreams, asthenia, dizziness, insomnia, pain, allergic skin reactions, pruritus, rashes, and urticaria. Abnormal laboratory test results associated with emtricitabine-containing regimens include hyperbilirubinaemia, increases in serum lipase and pancreatic amylase, and raised liver enzymes. There have also been reports of neutropenia and anaemia.