Final answer:
For treating MRSA, drugs such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, and tetracyclines like doxycycline or minocycline are commonly employed before antibiotic sensitivity results are available. These choices are due to their effectiveness against this resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The current drug of choice for treating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) varies because it can be resistant to many antibiotics. Before sensitivity results are available, healthcare providers often start treatment with drugs that have a well-known efficacy against MRSA.
These include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ), clindamycin, a tetracycline (doxycycline or minocycline), or linezolid. It's critical to follow the prescribed antibiotic regimen completely to minimize the risk of contributing to antibiotic resistance and ensure the elimination of the infection. In some severe cases, vancomycin or other last-resort antibiotics may be used, but emergence of vancomycin-resistant varieties has also been observed.