Antimicrobial Categories for Prescribers

To assist in the management of antimicrobial prescribing, and minimise the emergence of resistance amongst bacteria, the antimicrobials stocked in Pharmacy are grouped into three categories.

Group I

Antimicrobial agents, which can be prescribed by all doctors when appropriate:

Amoxicillin

Flucloxacillin

Benzylpencillin

Fluconazole oral

Cefalexin

Gentamicin

Cefotaxime (for CNS infections)

1 Metronidazole

Chloramphenical (eye preparations)

Nystatin suspension

Clarithromycin IV

Phenoxymethylpenicillin

Clarithromycin oral

Rifampicin (meningococcal prophylaxis)

Doxycycline oral

Trimethoprim

 

Group II

Antimicrobial agents that can only be prescribed for specific conditions, or infections as per antimicrobial guidance, or when indicated by culture and sensitivity results.

Azithromycin (STI only)

 1Meropenem

Cefixime (STI only)

Mupirocin nasal ointment

Ceftazidime 

Naseptin

Ceftriaxone (specific approved indications only)

Ofloxacin (STI only)

Chlorampenicol

Rifampicin (TB & Meningococcal Prophylaxis)

Ciprofloxacin

Sodium Fusidate oral

Clindamycin

1piperacillin/tazobactam

1Co-amoxiclav

Teicoplanin

Co-trimoxazole

Vancomycin

Fluconazole IV

 

 

Group III

Antimicrobials that can only be prescribed on the advice of a Consultant Microbiologist.

In extreme circumstances, the critically ill patient may require antimicrobials out of Group III prior to discussion with the Consultant Microbiologist. The Consultant Microbiologist should be contacted as soon as possible in such circumstances

Amphotericin IV

Linezolid

Caspofungin

Rifampicin

Daptomicin

Temocillin

Fidaxomicin

Tigecycline

5FC (Flucytosine)

Voriconazole

Fosfomycin IV

 

 

1 Do not prescribe metronidazole with co-amoxiclav (amoxicillin / clavulanic acid), piperacillin/ tazobactam or meropenem