METHICILLIN SODIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Methicillin Sodium is an antibiotic medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as beta-lactam antibiotics. It is specifically a derivative of penicillin and is commonly used to treat various bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms. Methicillin Sodium is particularly effective against staphylococcal bacteria, including certain strains that have developed resistance to other penicillin type antibiotics.
As a sodium salt, Methicillin Sodium is administered intravenously or through injection directly into the bloodstream. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, interfering with the formation of peptidoglycan, a vital component of bacterial cell walls. This disruption weakens the bacterial cell walls, eventually leading to their rupture and death.
Methicillin Sodium is most commonly prescribed for treating infections such as skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, bone and joint infections, endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), and various other types of bacterial infections. It is specifically indicated for infections caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), but is not effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) due to its inefficacy against the enzyme produced by this strain that enables resistance.
Although Methicillin Sodium is generally well-tolerated, like other antibiotics it may have certain side effects. Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and hypersensitivity reactions. It is important to take the medication as prescribed and finish the full course of treatment to ensure effectiveness and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Common Misspellings for METHICILLIN SODIUM
- nethicillin sodium
- kethicillin sodium
- jethicillin sodium
- mwthicillin sodium
- msthicillin sodium
- mdthicillin sodium
- mrthicillin sodium
- m4thicillin sodium
- m3thicillin sodium
- merhicillin sodium
- mefhicillin sodium
- meghicillin sodium
- meyhicillin sodium
- me6hicillin sodium
- me5hicillin sodium
- metgicillin sodium
- metbicillin sodium
- metnicillin sodium
- metjicillin sodium
- metuicillin sodium
Etymology of METHICILLIN SODIUM
The word "Methicillin Sodium" has a scientific, rather than etymological, origin. It is derived from the name of the antibiotic drug "Methicillin" and the term "Sodium", which refers to the salt form of the compound.
The term "Methicillin" is derived from the name of the base compound "Methyl-penicillin", as it is a derivative of penicillin. The prefix "meth-" indicates the addition of a methyl group to the original molecule, making it more resistant to certain bacteria that produce the enzyme penicillinase. The compound was first synthesized in 1959 and introduced as Methicillin, an antibiotic effective against penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
The addition of "Sodium" to "Methicillin" indicates that the compound has been converted into its salt form for improved stability, solubility, and administration.
