Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics

If you experience a bacterial infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are often the most suitable solution at your disposal. They bypass gut absorption, entering straight into the bloodstream instead to deliver a faster and more manageable way to restore your health back to its best.

The term IV antibiotics can cover a wide range of antibiotic classes to provide support with a range of medical conditions.

What are Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are a class of antibiotics that act against an extensive range of disease-causing bacteria by targeting both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial groups. They are often grouped by their abilities to act upon the different bacterial groups.

In relation to IV antibiotics, there are various classes (all of which include subclasses) to consider. They include Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones, Penicillin, Glycopeptides, Nitroimidazoles, Oxazolidinone, and Carbapenems. Each class and subclass has its distinct attributes, enabling IV antibiotics as a collective to deliver stunning results.  

What Do Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics Treat?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can treat a wide range of bacterial infections and conditions. Some of the most common reasons for needing IV antibiotics are managing heart infections (endocarditis), bone infections (osteomyelitis), brain (CNS) infections, skin infections, and soft tissue infections. They are designed to promote improved side effects management while simultaneously reducing the threat of hospital readmissions. Intravenous antibiotics also work where oral antibiotics have failed.

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How Do Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics Work?

IV antibiotics are administered through a catheter, which is a small tube that is attached to a vein. In most cases, the doctor will use a vein either in the arm or hand while a tourniquet may be used to make the vein easier to find. The broad-spectrum antibiotics may be diluted with saline solutions and other items.

Furthermore, through the addition of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT), it is possible to continue your treatment at home. While our spa-like center offers a comfortable space for your IV treatment, there’s no better surrounding than your own property. In fact, over 250,000 people per year receive IV antibiotics in this way. In cases where the broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered to the heart, a PICC line is required.

How Should I Prepare for My Treatment? 

Treatments involving IV antibiotics and broad-spectrum antibiotics begins with an on-site procedure. However, you should not need to take many precautions and can continue to eat as normal while Cochise Oncology provides a comfortable setting for the procedure. Your specialist can advise you of other precautions at the consultation phase. You may also want to bring items to keep you occupied.

When undergoing home treatments from one of our healthcare specialists, you will want to avoid any strenuous work. Nonetheless, the fact that the needle is removed when the catheter is inserted enables you to rest or watch TV without much pain.

How Long Will My Treatment Last? 

The time taken for the IV antibiotics to enter the body can vary depending on the class of broad-spectrum antibiotics in question, as well as the dosage and other factors in relation to your general health as well as the condition itself.

In most cases, outpatients receive daily IV antibiotics for a two-week period. However, the course of broad-spectrum antibiotics could last for 10-21 days, depending on the circumstances.

What are the Side Effects?

The most common side effects are minor irritation and allergies that may impact the throat, tongue, or arm where the catheter has been inserted. Rashes, itchiness, and swelling around the site are fairly common too.

Abnormalities that impact organs or the body are very rare, but you should watch for any pain, bleeding, or tingling in the arm.

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