Pharmacology · single question
An alcoholic patient with liver cirrhosis needs an antibiotic. Which is the SAFEST choice?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Penicillin VK
- A. Correct. Penicillin VK is primarily renally excreted and requires minimal hepatic metabolism — the safest antibiotic in liver disease.
- B. Incorrect. Clindamycin is hepatically metabolized and should be avoided in severe liver disease.
- C. Incorrect. Acetaminophen is an analgesic (not antibiotic) and is ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED in alcoholics with cirrhosis — severe hepatotoxicity risk.
- D. Incorrect. Metronidazole is extensively hepatically metabolized and accumulates to toxic levels in cirrhosis.