Over-the-counter antibiotics compromising aminoglycoside activity.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue that needs addressing. While antibiotic stewardship has improved often by restricting antibiotic use, some antibiotics that are still sold legally over the counter (OTC), notably in sore throat medications. Recent findings suggest OTC antibiotics could trigger cross-resistance to antibiotics used in clinical treatments, whether systemic or topical. Here we investigated the impact of three antibiotics contained in OTC sore throat medicines on emerging AMR in vitro.

Methods

Bacterial pathogens were exposed to a bactericidal concentration of an aminoglycoside in the presence or absence of a during-use concentration of bacitracin, gramicidin or tyrothricin in a time-kill assay. Damage to the bacterial membrane was als

SUBMITTER: Robertson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11695918 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature