What antibiotic is commonly used for treating mastitis?

Dicloxacillin is commonly used for treating mastitis because it is a penicillinase-resistant penicillin, making it effective against Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the most frequent bacteria responsible for this condition. Mastitis, often occurring in breastfeeding women, is typically associated with infections that can stem from the presence of bacteria entering through cracked or damaged skin.

Dicloxacillin's effectiveness against these resistant strains of bacteria, particularly those producing beta-lactamases, ensures that it can adequately treat and manage the infection, providing better outcomes. In addition to its antibacterial properties, dicloxacillin has excellent tissue penetration, which is crucial in effectively reaching the site of the infection, such as breast tissue in mastitis cases.

While other antibiotics listed can be used in certain situations, they do not have the same targeted effectiveness against the common pathogens involved in mastitis as dicloxacillin does, making it the preferred choice for this condition.