-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the aminoglycoside drug Gentamicin (Garamycin)?
- Tinnitus, headache, and vertigo (elevated trough levels); can cause ototoxicity
- Nephrotoxicity (polyuria, dilute urine, protein and casts in urine, elevated BUN, creatinine)
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the antimycobacterial drug isoniazid (INH)?
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- Liver damage, including hepatitis, liver failure (especially common in older adults and alcoholics)
- Peripheral neuropathy: numbness, tingling, pain in the hands or feet (especially common in patients who abuse alcohol or have diabetes mellitus)
- Dizziness, ataxia, seizures, psychotic symptoms
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the cephalosporin drug cephalexin (Keflex)?
- Diarrhea, nausea
- Pseudomembranous colitis (rare; may be from a suprainfection)
- Possible cross-allergy to penicillin allergy (especially for patients who have a severe penicillin allergy)
- Risk for hemorrhage with cefotetan (Cefotan) only
- Thrombophlebitis (cephalosporins infused via IV only)
- Cefotetan (Cefotan): disulfiram-like (Antabuse) reaction if patient takes with alcohol
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the penicillin drugs amoxicillin (Amoxil) and amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin)?
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Rarely may cause pseudomembranous colitis due to suprainfection (more frequent with other penicillins than amoxicillin)
- Suprainfection with Candida albicans
- Allergic reaction: rash, hives, wheezing and difficulty breathing
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the carbapenem drug imipenem (Primaxin)?
- Nausea, vomiting (if IV infusion is too rapid)
- Thrombophlebitis at IV site
- Possible cross-sensitivity with other antibiotics with beta lactam ring (penicillins, cephalosporins)
- Suprainfection
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the sulfonamide drug trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)?
- Nausea, vomiting, anorexia
- Allergic skin reactions
- Blood cell deficiencies (thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia)
- Suprainfections (pseudomembranous colitis or Candida albicans)
- Severe rash, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the monobactam drug aztreonam (Azactam)?
- Thrombophlebitis, inflammation at IV site
- Suprainfection with Candida albicans
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the macrolide drug erythromycin (E-Mycin)?
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea
- Ventricular dysrhythmias (increase in QT on ECG)
- Ototoxicity: hearing loss, vertigo and tinnitus (able to reverse when treatment ends)
- Suprainfection (pseudomembranous colitis, candidiasis)
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the azole drug ketoconazole (Nizoral)?
- Liver toxicity
- Nausea, vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Drowsiness, dizziness (decreases during treatment)
- Temporary decreased sexual hormone synthesis may cause gynecomastia, decreased libido, and low sperm counts or menstrual irregularities
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the polyene antibiotic drug amphotericin B (Fungizone)?
- Infusion reaction (occurs 1 to 2 hr after IV infusion begins and subsides within 4 hr): chills, fever, tachycardia, hypotension, headache, nausea; decreases during the course of therapy (several weeks)
- Renal toxicity (temporary or permanent kidney damage) that causes hypokalemia
- RBC suppression (anemia)
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the antiparasitic drug chloroquine (Aralen)?
- Problems seeing or reading, blurred vision, photophobia
- Nausea, diarrhea
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the fluoroquinolone drug ciprofloxacin (Cipro)?
- Mild CNS symptoms (dizziness, headache; confusion in older adults)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Achilles tendon rupture (rare), especially in children, older adults, and patients taking glucocorticoids
- Photosensitivity (sunburn-like reaction) even with indirect sun exposure; may occur despite use of sunscreen
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the antiparasitic drug metronidazole (Flagyl)?
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Mild to moderate includes headache, vertigo, or ataxia; severe includes seizures or peripheral neuropathy
- Darkening of urine (harmless effect)
- Suprainfection with Candida albicans
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the antibacterial drug vancomycin (Vancocin)?
- Hypotension and flushing of the face and trunk (red-person syndrome) occur with rapid IV infusion.
- Hearing loss due to ototoxicity (usually reversible, but not always)
- Kidney damage secondary to nephrotoxicity
- Thrombophlebitis at IV site and tissue damage with IV infiltration
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the antibacterial drug tetracycline (Sumycin)?
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Permanently discolors deciduous teeth of fetus (after fourth month of gestation) and young children
- Liver toxicity (especially in large doses or to pregnant or postpartum women)
- Suprainfections (pseudomembranous colitis, Candida albicans)
- Photosensitivity (severe sunburn-type reaction with sun exposure)
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the urinary tract antiseptic nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)?
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Respiratory symptoms
- Acute: chills, fever, cough, lasts 2 to 4 days
- Subacute: cough, shortness of breath, lasts weeks to months and may be permanent
- Permanent peripheral neuropathy (common in patients who have impaired renal function)
- Blood cell dysfunction (anemia, including macrocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia)
- Tooth staining caused by contact with liquid suspension
- Brownish urine (harmless)
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the antimycobacterial drug rifampin (Rifadin)?
- Liver toxicity (hepatitis)
- Red-orange color of body fluids (urine, saliva, tears, sweat)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain
-
What are some of the side and/or adverse effects of the antiviral drug acyclovir (Zovirax)?
Topical
Burning, itching at application site (usually temporary)
Oral
- Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea
- Headache
- Vertigo
IV
- Renal toxicity
- CNS toxicity (rare; patients who have renal impairment at most risk) - restlessness, tremors, psychosis, seizures
- Thrombophlebitis at IV site;
- IV infiltration causes tissue damage.
|
|
