Antimicrobial Categories for Prescribers
Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Borders
To assist in the management of antimicrobial prescribing, and minimise the emergence of resistance amongst bacteria, the antimicrobials stocked in Pharmacy are grouped into three categories.
Group I
Antimicrobial agents, which can be prescribed by all doctors when appropriate:
|
Amoxicillin |
Flucloxacillin |
|
Benzylpencillin |
Fluconazole oral |
|
Cefalexin |
Gentamicin |
|
Cefotaxime (for CNS infections) |
1 Metronidazole |
|
Chloramphenical (eye preparations) |
Nystatin suspension |
|
Clarithromycin IV |
Phenoxymethylpenicillin |
|
Clarithromycin oral |
Rifampicin (meningococcal prophylaxis) |
|
Doxycycline oral |
Trimethoprim |
Group II
Antimicrobial agents that can only be prescribed for specific conditions, or infections as per antimicrobial guidance, or when indicated by culture and sensitivity results.
|
Azithromycin (STI only) |
1Meropenem |
|
Cefixime (STI only) |
Mupirocin nasal ointment |
|
Ceftazidime |
Naseptin |
|
Ceftriaxone (specific approved indications only) |
Ofloxacin (STI only) |
|
Chlorampenicol |
Rifampicin (TB & Meningococcal Prophylaxis) |
|
Ciprofloxacin |
Sodium Fusidate oral |
|
Clindamycin |
1piperacillin/tazobactam |
|
1Co-amoxiclav |
Teicoplanin |
|
Co-trimoxazole |
Vancomycin |
|
Fluconazole IV |
|
Group III
Antimicrobials that can only be prescribed on the advice of a Consultant Microbiologist.
In extreme circumstances, the critically ill patient may require antimicrobials out of Group III prior to discussion with the Consultant Microbiologist. The Consultant Microbiologist should be contacted as soon as possible in such circumstances
|
Amphotericin IV |
Linezolid |
|
Caspofungin |
Rifampicin |
|
Daptomicin |
Temocillin |
|
Fidaxomicin |
Tigecycline |
|
5FC (Flucytosine) |
Voriconazole |
|
Fosfomycin IV |
|
1 Do not prescribe metronidazole with co-amoxiclav (amoxicillin / clavulanic acid), piperacillin/ tazobactam or meropenem