ATI PHARMACOLOGY MADE EASY 4.0 – INFECTION STUDY NOTES
Penicillins – weaken cell wall, bactericidal. Ex: Pen G, Amoxicillin. Use for strep,
syphilis. Allergy big concern → rash, hives, anaphylaxis.
Cephalosporins – also cell wall killers. Ex: Cephalexin, Ceftriaxone. Good for resp,
skin, GU, meningitis. NO ALCOHOL (disulfiram rxn). IV pain/warm = STOP infusion.
Macrolides – Ex: Erythromycin, Azithromycin. Inhibit protein synthesis. Use for strep if
pen allergy, diphtheria, chlamydia. Risk QT prolongation & dysrhythmias.
Aminoglycosides – Ex: Gentamicin. Serious gram-neg infections. NEPHRO + OTO
toxic. Monitor BUN/Cr, hearing. ↑ toxicity if with loop diuretics.
Tetracyclines – Ex: Doxycycline. Use acne, lyme, RMSF. No kids <8 or pregnancy
(teeth discolor). Avoid dairy/iron. Watch for bloody diarrhea (C. diff).
Sulfonamides – Ex: TMP-SMX. Folic acid inhibitor. UTI, bronchitis, PCP. Risk: SJS,
crystalluria, photosensitivity. Drink LOTS of water. ↑ bleeding if with Warfarin.
Fluoroquinolones – Ex: Ciprofloxacin. Broad spectrum, anthrax. Risk tendon rupture
(esp with steroids). Photosensitivity. Avoid dairy/antacids.
Carbapenems – Ex: Imipenem. Very broad, resistant bugs. Risk seizures,
superinfections (thrush, diarrhea).
Antimycobacterials – INH + Rifampin. TB treatment. INH → hepatotox + neuropathy
(give Vit B6). Rifampin → red/orange fluids + ↓ OCP effectiveness. Monitor LFTs.
Antivirals/Antifungals – Acyclovir (caution dehydrated, kidneys). Amphotericin B (toxic,
premed Tylenol + Benadryl). Itraconazole (report edema).
ATI High-Yield Quick Hits:
Penicillin allergy → Azithromycin
Cefotetan IV pain/swelling → STOP infusion
Rifampin → backup birth control
Cefotetan + alcohol → disulfiram rxn
Gentamicin + loop diuretic → nephrotoxic
Erythromycin → dysrhythmia risk
TMP-SMX + Warfarin → bleeding risk
Penicillins – weaken cell wall, bactericidal. Ex: Pen G, Amoxicillin. Use for strep,
syphilis. Allergy big concern → rash, hives, anaphylaxis.
Cephalosporins – also cell wall killers. Ex: Cephalexin, Ceftriaxone. Good for resp,
skin, GU, meningitis. NO ALCOHOL (disulfiram rxn). IV pain/warm = STOP infusion.
Macrolides – Ex: Erythromycin, Azithromycin. Inhibit protein synthesis. Use for strep if
pen allergy, diphtheria, chlamydia. Risk QT prolongation & dysrhythmias.
Aminoglycosides – Ex: Gentamicin. Serious gram-neg infections. NEPHRO + OTO
toxic. Monitor BUN/Cr, hearing. ↑ toxicity if with loop diuretics.
Tetracyclines – Ex: Doxycycline. Use acne, lyme, RMSF. No kids <8 or pregnancy
(teeth discolor). Avoid dairy/iron. Watch for bloody diarrhea (C. diff).
Sulfonamides – Ex: TMP-SMX. Folic acid inhibitor. UTI, bronchitis, PCP. Risk: SJS,
crystalluria, photosensitivity. Drink LOTS of water. ↑ bleeding if with Warfarin.
Fluoroquinolones – Ex: Ciprofloxacin. Broad spectrum, anthrax. Risk tendon rupture
(esp with steroids). Photosensitivity. Avoid dairy/antacids.
Carbapenems – Ex: Imipenem. Very broad, resistant bugs. Risk seizures,
superinfections (thrush, diarrhea).
Antimycobacterials – INH + Rifampin. TB treatment. INH → hepatotox + neuropathy
(give Vit B6). Rifampin → red/orange fluids + ↓ OCP effectiveness. Monitor LFTs.
Antivirals/Antifungals – Acyclovir (caution dehydrated, kidneys). Amphotericin B (toxic,
premed Tylenol + Benadryl). Itraconazole (report edema).
ATI High-Yield Quick Hits:
Penicillin allergy → Azithromycin
Cefotetan IV pain/swelling → STOP infusion
Rifampin → backup birth control
Cefotetan + alcohol → disulfiram rxn
Gentamicin + loop diuretic → nephrotoxic
Erythromycin → dysrhythmia risk
TMP-SMX + Warfarin → bleeding risk
