According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (USNLM), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterial infection that does not respond to some antibiotics. The infection can occur on the skin or in more serious cases it can affect the heart, lungs, blood or bones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that MRSA is resistant to all commonly prescribed penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. The CDC recommends other antibiotics that may be effective treatments for MRSA.
Doxycycline (Adoxa, Monodox)
For cases of skin and soft tissue infections in which MRSA is suspected, the CDC suggests doxycycline as a possible treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, doxycycline is an oral prescription medication for the treatment of infections. The dose for adults and children 8 years and older is 100 mg every 12 hours the first day and 100 mg per day for 10 days thereafter. Doxycycline may compromise the effectiveness of oral contraceptives that contain estrogen so that an unintended pregnancy could occur. Common side effects include back, leg or stomach pain, bleeding gums and blurred vision.
Linezolid (Zyvox)
The CDC recommends linezolid as another possible treatment. Linezolid is FDA-approved for the treatment of complex skin infections. Linezolid is an oral or injectable prescription antibiotic that doctors use to treat blood, lung and skin infections, says the Mayo Clinic. The oral dose for adults is 400 or 600 milligrams every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days. Patients who are taking linezolid can experience a temporary lowering of white blood cell count. This makes the patient more susceptible to infection. Taking linezolid can also cause vision problems such as blurred vision or visual field defect.
Clindamycin (Cleocin HCl, Cleocin Phosphate IV)
The CDC also recommends clindamycin as a viable alternative for MRSA infections of the skin and soft tissue. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of serious S. aureus infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, clindamycin is an oral, injectable and intravenous prescription antibiotic for bacterial infections. For adults and teenagers, the oral dose is 150 to 300 milligrams every six hours for 10 to 14 days. Common side effects that do not need medical attention include mild diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. Patients who experience severe and possibly bloody diarrhea should see their doctors immediately.
