AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question Will SEPTRA DS cure MRSA? or is there a better choice of medication (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
Answer Sanford
I'm afraid it's not as easy as you may think. MRSA exists in a number of strains, and like all bacteria, each will have differing sensitivities to antibiotics. However MRSA strains will be resistant to the most common antibiotics (hence why the MR is sometimes called Multi-Resistant).
Septra / Septrin / Bactrim and other formulations of Co-Trimoxazole (UK name) - Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim, is a commonly used antibiotic and unfortunately resistance to it is now quite significant. I would be surprised if any strains of MRSA were not resistant to Septra.
I should also point out that MRSA infection should strictly be applied to wound infections or septacaemia (blood infection), where the patient shows symptoms of infection (fever etc.). Many more patients become colonised with MRSA, meaning they carry it on their skin, particularly the nasal passages but are not showing signs of infection. While infected patients are at serious risk because of the resistance, carriers are equally significant because they will be spreading MRSA around a ward or community.
