17: Pharmacology - Beta-lactams & Vancomycin Flashcards
Name the four broad categories of beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporins
- Monobactams
- Carbepenams
NB: Beta-lactamase inhibitors co-form’d w/ other beta-lactam abx
How do beta-lactam antibiotics work?
Antibiotics have beta-lactam nucleus which inhibits penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) and are bactericidal.
Inhibit the enzymes transpeptidase (L-lys to D-ala) & carboxypeptidase (release ATP) that cross-link NAM-NAG+oligopeptides (cell-wall peptidoglycans).
Describe three mechanisms of bacterial resistance against beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Alter bacterial cell wall permeability
- Alter affinity of PBPs to beta-lactam
- Break down beta-lactams (via beta-lactamases)
Name the types of beta-lactamases.
- Penicillinases
- Cephalosporinases
- Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs): confer resistance against 3rd generation cephalosporins
- ampC beta-lactamases (ampCs): confer resistance against 3rd generation cephalosporins
- Carbapenamases: serious problem in NYC ICUs (few effective abx against)
- Metallo-beta-lactamases (e.g., NDM-1): resistant against almost all abx
In S. aureus, which gene confers resistance to anti-staphylococcal penicillins, and how? (MRSA)
PBP-2a.
Decreases affinity for beta-lactam abx.
Name three drugs can be used to treat MRSA.
Linezolid
Vancomycin
Daptomycin
(“Let’s vanquish diseases.”)
NB: Vancomycin preferred.
What antibiotic resistance mechanism can Streptococcus pneumoniae acquire?
Alterations in its PBPs resulting in relative or absolute resistance to penicillins (in rare cases, cephalosporins).
What is the pharmacology of beta-lactam antiboitics?
- Time-dependent: work better as long as concentration is above MIC; does not matter how much higher above.
- Half-life: relatively short; must dose every 4-6 hours.
- Volume of distribution: excellent penetration into bodily fluids (not so much CSF, unles if meningeal inflammation).
- Metabolism: low.
- Clearance: Mostly via kidney (renal), except for oxacillin; must adjust dose for patients w/ renal impairment.
What are some of the adverse effects associated with beta-lactam antiboitics?
- CNS:
- Encephalopathy
- Seizures (particularly due to carbapenams at high dose in patients with renal insufficiency)
- GI:
- All abx may cause GI upset
- Diarrhea
- Wiping out normal gut flora predisposes patients to C. dificile colitis
- Ceftriaxone causes biliary sludge (esp. in infants)
- Renal:
- Interstitial nephritis (particularly oxacillin)
- Immune-mediated
- Various cytopenias (neutropenia most common)
Describe allergies to beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Immediate vs. delayed
- Type I vs. Type II-IV hypersensitivity
- 5-10% of patients have penicillin allergy, but most can tolerate other beta-lactams
- Cross-reactivity w/ cephalosporins & carbepenams low (but do not use if hx of anaphylaxis)
- Aztreonam (monopenam) safe
For penicillin:
- Types
- Spectrum
- Indications
- Mechanism
- Resistance
- Side effects
- Types: **Penicillin G, benzathine (oral) **& penicillin VK (IV)
- Fairly narrow spectrum (bacterial resistance).
- Use for primary syphilis & streptococcus pyogenes
- Binds PBPs
- Beta-lactamase, altered porins, efflux pumps, altered PBPs
- Allergies (IgE), c. diff
For anti-stahylococcal (semi-synthetic) penicillins:
- Types
- Indications
- Mechanism
- Resistance
- Types:** Nafcillin** (IV), Oxacillin (IV), Dicloxacillin (PO) (NOD)
- S. aureus
- Bulky side chains resist penicillinase
- Bulkiness prevents entry into GN
NB: MRSA are not susceptible to this class of drugs (make PBP2a).
NB: Nafcillin is secreted biliary; negligible renal clearance.
For amino penicillins:
- Types
- Indications
- Mechanism
- Resistance
- Types:** Ampicillin & Amoxicillin** (IV/PO)
- Strep, enterococc, broad GN
- Charged amino group increases penetration of porins (vs. penicillin)
- Beta-lactamase
NB: Should at beta-lactamase inhibitor (e.g., ampicillin-sulbactam or amoxicillin-cluvulanate –> “turbo amino-penicillins”); expands spectrum to include anaerobes (bacteroides) but causes incr. GI toxicity.
NB2: Amoxicillin has better absorption due to -OH (stable in stomach acid).
For anti-pseudonomal (extended spectrum) penicillins:
- Types
- Spectrum
- Indications
- Mechanism
- Resistance
- Toxicity
- Types:** Piperacillin-tazobactam, ticarcillin & carbenicillin **(IV/PO)
- GP (strep), GNR (E. Coli, Klebsiella), anaerobes, pseudomonas (opportunistic GN)
- P. aeruginosa
- Charged side chains incr. permeability, PBP binding
- Penicillinase sensitive; deactivated by AmpC (inducible beta lactamase)
- Platelet dysfunction, hypokalemia
Name the cephalosporins by generation.
- First
- Cephalexin, cefazolin (Alex & Zola)
- Second
- Cefuroxime, cefoxitin & cefotetan (The furry fox in a tin had tea and a tan)
- Third
- Ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefpodoxime & ceftazidime (Three axes taxed the pod ox a dime)
- Fourth: Cefepime
- Fifth: Ceftaroline (Caroline was last)