Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Monotherapy with first-line antimicrobials such as vancomycin (VAN; glycopeptide) and daptomycin (DAP; lipopeptide) are inadequate in some cases due to reduced antibiotic susceptibilities or therapeutic failure. In recent years, β-lactam antibiotics have emerged as a potential option for combination therapy with VAN/DAP that may meet an unmet therapeutic need for MRSA BSI. Ceftaroline (CPT), the only commercially available β-lactam in the United States with intrinsic in vitro activity against MRSA, has been increasingly studied in the setting of VAN and DAP failures. Novel combinations of first-line agents (VAN and DAP) with β-lactams have been the subject of many recent investigations due to in vitro findings such as the “see-saw effect”, where β-lactam susceptibility may be improved in the presence of decreased glycopeptide and lipopeptide susceptibility. The combination of CPT and DAP, in particular, has become the focus of many scientific evaluations, due to intrinsic anti-MRSA activities and potent in vitro synergistic activity against various MRSA strains. This article reviews the available literature describing these innovative therapeutic approaches for MRSA BSI, focusing on preclinical and clinical studies, and evaluates the potential benefits and limitations of each strategy.

Tedizolid has activity against Gram-positive pathogens as well as Mycobacterium spp and Nocardia spp. Real-world evidence supporting long-term tolerability and clinical success of tedizolid is lacking. Prolonged tedizolid therapy (median, 188 days; interquartile range, 62–493 days) appeared to be well tolerated in 37 patients (8.1% experienced adverse effect leading to discontinuation). Clinical success was 81.3% in those evaluated.

Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are frequently used to prevent stress-related mucosal bleeding (SRMB). A paucity of data implicates these agents with pneumonia and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). This review comparatively evaluates the effectiveness of H2RAs and PPIs and delineates their associations with these infectious complications. A literature review through 30 September 2014 was performed. The rate of SRMB is declining, likely due better resuscitation strategies and the early provision of enteral nutrition. Therefore, gastric acid-suppressing therapies arguably reduce SRMB. However, they may contribute to pneumonia and CDI. The risks of these infectious complications depend on the extent of acid suppression and may vary by patient population. PPIs are associated with the greatest hazard for these infections, likely because they provide stronger acid suppression. Intermittent administration of H2RAs has theoretical advantages over continuous H2RA or PPI therapies as this dosing strategy does not fully suppress gastric acid and may limit infection risk. Placebo-controlled studies are warranted because clinical equipoise exists as the detrimental outcomes of these infections may outweigh the benefit of preventing SRMB given the infrequent occurrence of SRMB.

Purpose. The physical and chemical stability of repackaged acetylcysteine 600 mg/3 mL solution in oral syringes stored under refrigeration or at room temperature was studied for six months; a cost analysis was also conducted.

Purpose. The stability of extemporaneously prepared phenylephrine hydrochloride injection stored in polypropylene syringes was studied.

Although aminoglycosides remain an essential part of therapy of severe gram-negative infections in critically ill patients, the use of extended-interval aminoglycoside dosing (EIAD) in this population is highly controversial. The rationale for EIAD is based on major pharmacodynamic characteristics of the aminoglycosides, which include concentration-dependent bactericidal effects, postantibiotic effect, and adaptive resistance. Alterations in the pharmacokinetics of aminoglycosides in the critically ill have been well documented, including changes in both drug distribution and elimination. These pharmacokinetic alterations may prevent critically ill patients from realizing the potential benefits of EIAD by reducing serum concentrations achieved by recommended EIAD regimens and may perhaps place patients at risk of therapeutic failure. Although numerous studies of EIAD have been conducted, there is a lack of data specifically concerning the efficacy and safety of EIAD in the critically ill. The most appropriate methods for monitoring EIAD in this population are also not clearly established. There are thus many questions regarding the suitability of EIAD in the critically ill. This article briefly reviews the rationale for EIAD and data related to the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and clinical monitoring of EIAD in critically ill patients. Considerations and recommendations for use of EIAD in the critically ill are provided.