3-15. PENICILLIN
Penicillin is effective against gram-positive bacteria, such as streptococci, and is
used in the treatment of most dental infections (see the appendix). Many people are
allergic to penicillin and care should be taken to prevent prescribing it for these patients.
The dental specialist should review the patient's medical history to check for previous
allergic reactions to penicillin. Patients with other allergies are more likely to be allergic
to penicillin.
3-16. ERYTHROMYCIN
Erythromycin is effective against gram-positive bacteria including beta hemolytic
streptococci, pneumococci, and staphylococci (see the appendix). This antibiotic
resembles penicillin in its spectrum of antibacterial activity and is used as a substitute
for penicillin for hypersensitive patients or for organisms resistant to penicillin.
Erythromycin is relatively free of side effects; however, gastrointestinal upset often
occurs.
3-17. TETRACYCLINE
Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum, mostly bacteriostatic, antibiotic effective
against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria (see the appendix). Both gram-
negative and gram-positive bacteria are very common in the oral cavity. Normally, the
dental officer will not prescribe tetracycline to pregnant women during the last three
months (last trimester) of pregnancy or to children under the age of 12 (tooth
development period). Tetracycline taken during these times may produce a permanent
discoloration of teeth.
3-18. HYPNOTICS AND SEDATIVES-GENERAL
Hypnotics and sedatives are agents that produce sleep or decrease excitability
by depressing the central nervous system. The degree of potency and effect of the
agent is dependent upon the amount used. Small doses may produce a sedative effect;
whereas larger doses may produce deep sleep (see the appendix). Hypnotic and
sedative agents are used in dentistry to relieve patient apprehension, treat preoperative
insomnia, induce sleep, and induce sleep in the presence of pain when combined with
analgesics. Barbiturates and tranquilizers are two commonly used hypnotic and
sedative agents.
MD0509
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