Antibiotics

Prior to making up any antibiotics you need to check MEDUSA (NHS Injectable Medicines Guide).

This contains instructions on how to prepare and administer IV medication.

Go to the bottom of the intranet homepage

Select Medusa Injectable Medicines Guide then click on homepage link

Alternatively, you can click here  to link directly to Medusa Injectable Medicines Guide .

Select a route: IntraVENOUS

Select a patient group: Click Adult

Click: Continue to adult IntraVENOUS

Search for drug and click magnifying glass, full drug name not required

Click on the required drug

Follow 'Preparation and Administration' instructions

Further treatment guidance / reference documents:

More information can be found at Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Lothian on the Right Decisions Service.

There are also the Lothian guidelines for febrile neutropenia and neutropenic sepsis [only accessible from an NHS Lothian device] and Antimicrobial Treatment Policy .

Gentamicin is a broad spectrum antibiotic.

It is given to haematology patients if they are neutropenic septic.

Given to patients prior to catheter insertion if they are neutropenic.

Dosing is weight related, ensure your patient has an up to date weight.

Given once a day unless renal function impaired. Gentamicin dosing calculator works out the recommended frequency.

Check dose on dosing calculator and monitoring chart (specific to patient) and Hepma.

Levels must be taken to ensure gentamicin is at a therapeutic level.

Further treatment guidance / reference documents:

More information can be found at Gentamicin - how to use it well! on the Right Decisions Service.

Full guidance should always be accessed in conjunction with the information above, table should not be used in isolation.

Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

Dosing is weight related, ensure your patient has an up to date weight.

Daily U&E’s to check creatinine clearance as vancomycin is eliminated via kidneys.

Check dose on form and HEPMA.

Levels must be taken to ensure vancomycin is at a therapeutic level.

Check dose on form and HEPMA.

Further treatment guidance / reference documents:

More information can be found at Vancomycin - adult intermittent infusion on the Right Decisions Service.

Full guidance should always be accessed in conjunction with the information above, table should not be used in isolation.

Commonly Used Oral antibiotics within Edinburgh Cancer Centre (For IV antibiotics see Commonly used IV antibiotics, above)

• Co-Amoxiclav
• Co-trimoxazole
• Ciprofloxacin
• Clarithromycin
• Doxycycline
• Flucloxacillin

Further treatment guidance / reference documents:

Only accessible from an NHS Lothian Device:

Lothian guidelines for febrile neutropenia and neutropenic sepsis 

Haematology Antimicrobial Treatment Policy