Antibiotic, Antifungal, Antiviral Drugs

Methenamine is used, usually as the hippurate or mandelate, in the prophylaxis and treatment of chronic or recurrent, uncomplicated, lower urinary-tract infections and asymptomatic bacteriuria. It has been considered suitable for long-term use because acquired resistance does not appear to develop.

Meropenem is a carbapenem beta-lactam antibacterial with actions and uses similar to those of imipenem. It is more stable to renal dehydropeptidase I than imipenem and need not be given with an enzyme inhibitor such as cilastatin.

Gemifloxacin is reported to have greater activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including pneumococci, than ciprofloxacin.

Latamoxef is an oxacephalosporin antibacterial that has been given intramuscularly or intravenously as the disodium salt in the treatment of susceptible infections. It differs from the cephalosporins in that the sulfur atom of the 7-aminocephalosporanic acid nucleus is replaced by oxygen. Like cefamandole it has an N-methylthiotetrazole side-chain and may cause hypoprothrombinaemia. Serious bleeding episodes have been reported with latamoxef and prophylaxis with vitamin K and monitoring of bleeding time have been recommended during treatment.

Lymecycline is a tetracycline derivative with general properties similar to those of tetracycline. Although its absorption is not significantly affected by moderate amounts of milk, it is still affected by divalent and trivalent cations such as aluminium, bismuth, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Lymecycline is given orally and doses are expressed in terms of the equivalent amount of tetracycline base.

Loracarbef is an oral carbacephem antibiotic. The carbacephems are closely related to the cephalosporins, but replacement of the sulfur atom in the 7-aminocephalosporanic acid nucleus by a methylene group is said to enhance stability. It is used similarly to cefaclor in the treatment of susceptible infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts and of skin and soft tissue.

Lomefloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial with actions and uses similar to those of ciprofloxacin. It is given orally for the treatment of susceptible infections, including bronchitis due to Haemophilus influenzae or Moraxella catarrhalis (Branhamella catarrhalis), and urinary-tract infections.

Kanamycin is an aminoglycoside antibacterial with actions similar to those of gentamicin. It has been used in the treatment of susceptible Gram-negative and staphylococcal infections, including gonorrhoea and neonatal gonococcal eye infections, although its use has declined in many centres because of the development of resistance.

Cefalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibacterial. It is given orally for the treatment of susceptible infections including those of the respiratory and urinary tracts and of the skin.