High-risk antibiotics are certain classes of antibiotics that have been identified as carrying a greater risk of causing complications like Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).
Identifying High-Risk Antibiotics
Based on recent guidelines and studies focusing on mitigating CDI, several antibiotic classes are categorized as high risk. These include:
- Cephalosporins (second-, third-, and fourth-generation): This includes drugs such as:
- Cefoxitin
- Cefprozil
- Cefaclor
- Cefotetan
- Cefuroxime
- Ceftibuten
- Cefdinir
- Cefixime
- Cefotaxime
- Cefpodoxime
These antibiotics are considered high risk due to their association with increased risk of CDI and other adverse outcomes. Judicious use and awareness of these risks are important in antibiotic stewardship programs.
