Sepsis Treatment: 3 Meds & 6 Side Effects

Sepsis¹ is a serious illness. It happens when your body has an overwhelming immune response to a bacterial infection. Jay Harold wrote this post. “Sepsis Treatment: 3 Meds & 6 Side Effects,” to educate you about some of the drug medication choices available today.

Sepsis causes chemicals to be released into the blood to fight the infection. These chemicals can also trigger widespread inflammation. Sepsis may lead to blood clots and leaky blood vessels. They cause poor blood flow, which deprives your body’s organs of nutrients and oxygen. In severe cases, one or more organs fail. In the worst cases, blood pressure drops and the heart weakens, leading to septic shock. Remember, only your doctor can determine what treatment plan is best for you.

Anyone can get sepsis, but the risk is higher in

People with weakened immune systems
Infants and children
Adults 65 and older
People with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and kidney or liver disease
People suffering from a severe burn or physical trauma

Common symptoms of sepsis are fever, chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, rash, confusion, and disorientation. Doctors diagnose sepsis using a blood test to see if the number of white blood cells is abnormal. They also do lab tests that check for signs of infection.

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People with sepsis are usually treated in hospital intensive care units. Doctors try to treat the infection, sustain the vital organs, and prevent a drop in blood pressure. Many patients receive oxygen and intravenous (IV) fluids. Other types of treatment, such as respirators or kidney dialysis, may be necessary. Sometimes, surgery is needed to clear up an infection.

Types of Infections

Bacterial Infections²

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most bacteria won’t hurt you – less than 1 percent of the different types make people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, and give the body needed vitamins. Bacteria are also used in making healthy foods like yogurt and cheese.

But infectious bacteria can make you ill. They reproduce quickly in your body. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.

Antibiotics are the usual treatment. When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. Each time you take antibiotics, you increase the chances that bacteria in your body will learn to resist them, causing antibiotic resistance. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure.

Fungal Infections³

If you have ever had athlete’s foot or a yeast infection, you can blame a fungus. A fungus is a primitive organism. Mushrooms, mold, and mildew are examples. Fungi live in the air, in soil, on plants, and in water. Some live in the human body. Only about half of all types of fungi are harmful.

Some fungi reproduce through tiny spores in the air. You can inhale the spores, or they can land on you. As a result, fungal infections often start in the lungs or on the skin. You are more likely to get a fungal infection if you have a weakened immune system or take antibiotics.

Fungi can be difficult to kill. For skin and nail infections, you can apply the medicine directly to the infected area. Oral antifungal medications are also available for serious infections.

Fungi can cause many different types of illnesses, including:

Asthma or allergies. Learn more about mold and how it can affect your health.
Rashes or infections on the skin and nails
Lung infections (pneumonia), with symptoms similar to the flu or tuberculosis
Bloodstream infections
Meningitis

What are Antibiotics⁴?

Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, antibiotics can save lives. They either kill bacteria or keep them from reproducing. Your body’s natural defenses can usually take it from there.

Antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses, such as

Colds
Flu
Most coughs and bronchitis
Sore throats, unless caused by strep

If a virus is making you sick, taking antibiotics may do more harm than good. Using antibiotics when you don’t need them, or not using them correctly, can add to antibiotic resistance. This happens when bacteria change and become able to resist the effects of an antibiotic.

When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. It is essential to finish your medicine even if you feel better. If you stop treatment too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect you. Do not save antibiotics for later or use someone else’s prescription.

Sepsis Treatment: 3 Meds & 6 Side Effects

Zosyn⁵ (Piperacillin and tazobactam)

Piperacillin and tazobactam injection is used to treat pneumonia and skin, gynecological, and abdominal (stomach area) infections caused by bacteria. Piperacillin is in a class of medications called penicillin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause infection. Tazobactam is in a class called beta-lactamase inhibitor. It works by preventing bacteria from destroying piperacillin.

Antibiotics such as piperacillin and tazobactam injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking or using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

rash
itching
hives
difficulty breathing or swallowing
wheezing
severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)

Piperacillin and tazobactam injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a severe side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to piperacillin and tazobactam injection.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving piperacillin and tazobactam injection. If you have diabetes, piperacillin and tazobactam injection can cause false results with certain urine glucose tests. Talk to your doctor about using other glucose tests while using piperacillin and tazobactam injection.

You need to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Merrem⁶ (Meropenem)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Meropenem injection is used to treat skin and abdominal (stomach area) infections caused by bacteria and meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) in adults and children three months of age and older. Meropenem injection is in a class of medications called antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause infection.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using meropenem injection,

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meropenem, other carbapenem antibiotics such as doripenem (Doribax), ertapenem (Invanz), or imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin); cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefuroxime (Ceftin, Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); other beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox); any other medications, or any of the ingredients in meropenem injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
Be sure to mention probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid) and valproic acid (Depakene). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, brain lesions, or kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving meropenem injection, call your doctor.
You should know that meropenem injection may affect mental alertness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using meropenem injection and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

seizures
severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
hives
itching
rash
flushing
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes
difficulty swallowing or breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
pale skin
fast or irregular heartbeat
shortness of breath
a return of fever or other signs of infection

Vancomycin⁷

Why is Vancomycin prescribed?

Vancomycin injection is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat certain serious infections such as endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves), peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen), and infections of the lungs, skin, blood, and bones. Vancomycin injection is in a class of medications called glycopeptide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using vancomycin injection,

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to vancomycin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in vancomycin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amikacin, amphotericin (Abelcet, Ambisome, Amphotec), bacitracin (Baciim); cisplatin, colistin, kanamycin, neomycin (Neo-Fradin), paromomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, and tobramycin. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hearing problems or kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using vancomycin injection, call your doctor.
If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving vancomycin injection.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed below, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools (up to 2 months after your treatment)
stomach pain or cramps
rash
peeling or blistering of the skin
swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips
difficulty breathing or swallowing
hoarseness
hearing loss, roaring or ringing in the ears, or dizziness

Jay Harold hopes you enjoyed this post, “Sepsis Treatment: 3 Meds & 6 Side Effects.” Please Share it and read more about Jay Harold here. Please take this advice from Muhammad Ali and give back to others. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”