Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also called MRSA, is an infection caused by a strain of staph bacteria that has become resistant to certain antibiotics usually prescribed to treat that infection. Patients most often acquire MRSA during hospital treatment, but people can contract it in the community, according to the Mayo Clinic. When a doctor diagnoses MRSA, the treatment might include antibiotics still considered effective.
Oxazolidinones
The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that two common oxazolidinones, a group of antibiotics, still are effective in treating MRSA. These are daptomycin and vancomycin. It is very important that a patient take the prescription drugs exactly as prescribed to prevent MRSA from becoming resistant to these drugs, as well. The patient can take vancomycin and daptomycin orally, but intravenous administration is also common if the patient remains in the hospital after the infection occurs.
Mayo Clinic doctors note the most common side effects of vancomycin are a bitter or unpleasant taste in the mouth, mouth irritation, nausea and vomiting. The National Institutes of Health warns patients against eating foods that are high in tyramine when taking daptomycin. Foods that contain tyramine include beer, wine, yogurt, canned figs, avocados, many cheeses, soy sauce, cured meats and other processed items.
Tetracycline Drugs
Three antibiotics that belong to the tetracycline family that still are effective in treating MRSA are doxycycline, minocycline and the original tetracycline, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These drugs work like any other antibiotic and slow the growth of certain bacteria to allow the body's immune system to kill them, Drugs.com says. Some common side effects of this group of antibiotics include mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal upset, white lesions in the mouth and vaginal itching or discharge.
Patients should take tetracycline drugs exactly as prescribed. These drugs can be administered orally, but might be used intravenously for patients remaining in the hospital. Patients should finish the medication prescribed even if symptoms of MRSA subside.
Combination Drugs
One commonly prescribed combination antibiotic, the University of Maryland Medical Center say, is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Drugs.com explains that this drug prevents the growth of bacteria in the body just like other antibiotics. It is a strong drug, and patients should take it exactly as prescribed. Common side effects include nausea, skin rash, appetite changes, vomiting and sometimes hives. Combination drugs are most often prescribed in oral form.
