why are there so few antibiotics which can be used against bacterial meningitis?

Answer 1

there are quite a few antibiotics that can be used for bacterial meningitis, but yeah it is limited more so than other infections. mainly because the drugs have to cross what is called the blood-brain barrier, which is a lipid (fatty) barrier. the drugs have to be able to dissolve in fat to cross the barrier, so drugs that are very polar cant make it across.

viral menningitis on the other hand has very little available treatment, you almost have to just let the disease take its course and hope not a lot of damage is done

Answer 2

Bacterial meningitis in caused by a known limited number of types of bacteria and for each of these bacteria there is an antibiotic that is known to be most effective at killing that bacteria. Often, a single antibiotic like ceftriaxone covers virtually all of them. Other antibiotics are used if the bacteria is found to be resistant to the first antibiotic or if the patient has medication allergies.
A long list of antibiotic options is not necessary. When a single antibiotic provides the necessary coverage of the causative organisms it only make sense to use that antibiotic whenever possible.

Answer 3

Because few antibiotics can cross the brain-blood-barrier (which acts as a major filter for the brain), and the medicine must cross the brain blood barrier to help with meningitis.

Answer 4

The antibiotic has to cross the blood brain barrier and the organism causing meningitis has to be sensitive to it. Generally, ceftriaxone is used, as most of the bacteria are sensitive to it. Others- Neisseria meningitidis---Penicillin or ampicillin.
Hemophilus influenzae-- chloramphenicol, ampicillin.
Streptococcus pneumoniae-- Penicillin.
Staphylococcus aureus-- Cloxacillin, methicillin, vancomycin.
Eschericia coli-- Cefotaxime, gentamycin.

Answer 5

ampicillin
penicillin g
ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
cefotaxime (Claforan)
ciprofloxacin
gentamicin sulfate (Garamycin)
rifampin
vancomycin (Vancocin)