Cholangitis Medication

  • Author: Homayoun Shojamanesh, MD; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 5, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Possible antibiotic treatments include penicillin derivatives (eg, piperacillin) or a second- or third-generation cephalosporin (eg, ceftazidime) for gram-negative coverage, ampicillin for gram-positive coverage, and metronidazole for anaerobic coverage. Some researchers have reported use of fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) as effective therapy.

The selection and dosing of appropriate antibiotics and other medications listed below or from another source must be performed by the patient's primary physician and gastroenterologist based on history and clinical presentation.

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

Initial empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover both aerobic and anaerobic gram-negative organisms.

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Piperacillin (Pipracil)

 

Inhibits biosynthesis of cell wall mucopeptides and the stage of active multiplication; has antipseudomonal activity.

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Ceftazidime (Ceptaz, Fortaz, Tazidime)

 

Third-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum, gram-negative activity; lower efficacy against gram-positive organisms; higher efficacy against resistant organisms. Arrests bacterial growth by binding to one or more penicillin-binding proteins.

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Ampicillin (Marcillin, Omnipen, Polycillin, Principen)

 

Bactericidal activity against susceptible organisms.

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Metronidazole (Flagyl)

 

Imidazole ring-based antibiotic active against various anaerobic bacteria and protozoa.

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Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

 

Fluoroquinolone with activity against Pseudomonas species, streptococci, MRSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and most gram-negative organisms but no activity against anaerobes. Inhibits bacterial DNA synthesis and, consequently, growth.

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Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

 

For pseudomonal infections and infections due to multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms.

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Coagulants

Class Summary

Vitamin K or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) may be used for correction of coagulopathy when needed.

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Phytonadione (AquaMEPHYTON, Konakion, Mephyton)

 

Promotes liver synthesis of clotting factors that in turn inhibit warfarin effects.

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Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)

 

Plasma is the fluid compartment of blood containing the soluble clotting factors. Indications for using FFP include bleeding in patients with congenital coagulation defects and multiple coagulation factor deficiencies (severe liver disease).

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Homayoun Shojamanesh, MD  Former Fellow, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institutes of Health

Homayoun Shojamanesh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Praveen K Roy, MD, AGAF  Gastroenterologist, Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Adjunct Associate Research Scientist, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute; Editor-in-Chief, The Internet Journal of Gasteroenterology; Editorial Board, Signal Transduction Insights; Editorial Board, The Internet Journal of Epidemiology; Editorial Board, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Review Letter

Praveen K Roy, MD, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Victor Nwakakwa, MD, MRCP (UK)  Clinical Instructor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Virginia Health System

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Anil Minocha, MD, FACP, FACG  Professor of Medicine, Director of Digestive Diseases, Medical Director of Nutrition Support, Medical Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Internal Medicine Department, University of Mississippi Medical Center; Clinical Professor, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy

Anil Minocha, MD, FACP, FACG is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

James L Achord, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Mississippi School of Medicine

James L Achord, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Mississippi State Medical Association, New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP  Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  18. van den Hazel SJ, Speelman P, Tytgat GN, et al. Role of antibiotics in the treatment and prevention of acute and recurrent cholangitis. Clin Infect Dis. Aug 1994;19(2):279-86. [Medline].

 
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