Ecthyma Medication

Updated: Mar 08, 2019
  • Author: Loretta S Davis, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy for ecthyma are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

Topical antibiotics should be considered adjunctive therapy in addition to systemic antibiotics for the treatment of ecthyma.

Penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin LA)

Penicillin G benzathine is the drug of choice when a pyoderma is known to be caused by group A streptococci. It interferes with the synthesis of cell wall mucopeptides during active multiplication, which results in bactericidal activity.

Penicillin VK (Veetids, Beepen-VK)

Penicillin VK inhibits biosynthesis of cell wall mucopeptide and is effective during the stage of active multiplication. Inadequate concentrations may produce only bacteriostatic effects.

Cephalexin (Keflex, Biocef)

Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin that arrests bacterial growth by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It has bactericidal activity against rapidly growing organisms. Its primary activity is against skin flora; it is used for skin infections or prophylaxis in minor procedures. It is active against Streptococcus pyogenes and S aureus.

Dicloxacillin (Dycill, Dynapen)

Dicloxacillin is used for treatment of infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci. It can be used to initiate therapy when staphylococcal infection is suggested.

Clindamycin (Cleocin)

Clindamycin is a lincosamide for the treatment of serious skin and soft-tissue staphylococcal infections. It is also effective against aerobic and anaerobic streptococci (except enterococci). It inhibits bacterial growth, possibly by blocking dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, causing RNA-dependent protein synthesis to arrest.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Cotrim)

This combination agent inhibits the biosynthesis of proteins and nucleic acids needed for bacterial growth. It typically is effective for methicillin-resistant S aureus.

Doxycycline (Doxycin, Acticlate, Adoxa)

Doxycycline inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting protein synthesis. It often is effective for methicillin-resistant S aureus. It is not recommended for children younger than 8 years.

Mupirocin (Bactroban)

Mupirocin selectively binds to bacterial isoleucyl transfer-RNA synthetase, inhibiting protein synthesis.

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