ABSTRACT
This chapter presents classification & mode of action, indications & dermatological uses, formulations/presentation, dosages & suggested regimens, baseline investigations, considerations & monitoring, contraindications, cautions, important drug interactions, adverse effects & their management, use in special situations, and essential patient information of Antibiotics. Antibiotics are drugs with therapeutic activity against living organisms, the term being usually reserved for drugs active against bacteria. The chapter is concerned with the antibiotics most commonly used in dermatology, including broad- and narrow-spectrum drugs. The use of in vivo skin tests is well validated for β-lactam antibiotics. Macrolide antibiotics have numerous drug interactions due to inhibitory effects on the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme, and enhancing the cardiotoxicity of certain drugs. Macrolides, including erythromycin and clarithromycin, are antibiotics whose structure is based on a large macrocyclic lactone ring. They act by inhibiting protein synthesis through binding to ribosomes and are mainly bacteriostatic.
