What is the antibiotic of choice for treating mastitis?

Mastitis, especially in breastfeeding women, is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which can produce penicillinase, an enzyme that inactivates penicillin. Therefore, using penicillinase-resistant antibiotics is essential in effectively treating this condition. Dicloxacillin is specifically designed to work against these resistant strains and achieves good tissue penetration, making it particularly effective for treating mastitis.

Amoxicillin can be useful in some contexts but is not preferred for mastitis due to its susceptibility to penicillinase-producing bacteria. Ciprofloxacin and tetracycline are generally not used for mastitis; ciprofloxacin is more effective against gram-negative bacteria and is not the first-line choice in this scenario, while tetracycline can be contraindicated in breastfeeding due to its potential effects on the nursing infant. The focus on penicillinase-resistant antibiotics underscores the necessary strategy for treating infections likely caused by antibiotic-resistant strains, particularly in the case of mastitis.