Immune / Anti-infective

The original β-lactams — bactericidal cell-wall inhibitors. The defining nursing job is screening for and recognizing allergy, from rash to anaphylaxis.

β-lactam cousins of penicillin, organized by generation — each generation trades some gram-positive reach for broader gram-negative coverage.

Powerful, broad-spectrum DNA-synthesis blockers — but a boxed warning for disabling tendon, nerve, and CNS effects means they’re reserved when alternatives exist.

Suppress viral replication rather than kill viruses outright. The nursing essentials: hydrate with acyclovir, start early (flu within 48 h), and remember most antivirals suppress — they don’t cure.

Powerful IV drugs for serious Gram-negative infection — but nephrotoxic and ototoxic. Levels matter.

Broad, generally safe protein-synthesis inhibitors — a penicillin-allergy alternative. Watch QT and CYP3A4.

Broad-spectrum 30S inhibitors. Generally avoided in pregnancy and in children 8 or younger (permanent tooth staining) unless the infection is serious — doxycycline is still first-line for Rocky Mountain spotted fever at any age — and kept apart from dairy/antacids.

Folate-synthesis blockers (Bactrim). Watch sulfa allergy/SJS, hyperkalemia, and crystalluria — push fluids.

The go-to IV drug for MRSA — infuse slowly (infusion reaction) and monitor levels & kidneys. Oral for C. diff.

Kills anaerobes & protozoa. The classic teaching: no alcohol (disulfiram-like reaction).

Multi-drug, months-long TB therapy (RIPE). Each drug has a signature toxicity; adherence prevents resistance.

IV/oral antifungals for serious infection. Amphotericin B = nephrotoxic “amphoterrible”; azoles = CYP interactions.

Train immunity to prevent disease. Live vaccines are contraindicated in immunocompromise & pregnancy.

Dial down an overactive or transplant-rejecting immune system. The shared price is infection and malignancy — the biologics carry boxed warnings.

The broadest-spectrum β-lactams — the last-resort “big guns” for resistant infection. Watch the seizure risk and the valproate interaction.

Anaerobe- and toxin-fighting protein-synthesis inhibitor — and a well-known cause of C. difficile colitis (its boxed warning).