ALTABAX is not indicated for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Many reports about antibacterial resistance have been in the news recently. When an antibacterial is no longer effective in stopping or killing a type of bacteria, it is called antibacterial resistance. That means that the bacteria (such as certain kinds of streptococci or staphylococci) have developed in such a way that many existing antibacterials are not able to fight the bacteria. It is important to note that different types of bacteria—and not individual people—develop resistance to antibacterial treatments. That means a person cannot become resistant to an antibacterial; however a person may get infected with a bacteria that is resistant to an antibacterial. The overuse and incorrect use of antibacterials has caused antibacterial resistance to become a big problem.
Antibacterial resistance is troubling to doctors because it greatly cuts down on their ability to treat infections. The presence of resistant bacteria makes an infection much more difficult to treat, as there are fewer effective medicines. Resistant bacteria can cause hard-to-treat infections, which can be spread easily from person to person. In severe cases, infections with these types of bacteria can cause serious disability and even death.
In the treatment of certain skin infections, topical antibacterials are frequently preferred to oral antibiotics, because they cause less bacterial resistance. Although scientists continue to research new drugs to treat resistant bacteria, there are steps you can take to help prevent the problem of antibacterial resistance:
- Don't use antibacterial medicine to treat a viral infection, such as a cold or flu. Antibacterials only fight bacteria; they are not able to treat a virus
- Use all your antibacterial medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Don't skip doses or applications, even if you are feeling better
- Don't share antibacterial medicine. An antibacterial that has been prescribed for you may not be effective for someone else. The wrong medication may delay the correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply
Most importantly, only use antibacterials when they are likely to help treat an illness or infection.
For more information please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at: www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community (Accessed on March 29, 2007).