6+2 Flashcards
Name the four main classes of beta-lactam antibiotics.
Penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems.
What is the main adverse reaction associated with beta-lactam antibiotics?
Hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from mild rash to anaphylaxis.
Why is vancomycin effective for Clostridium difficile colitis?
It is not absorbed orally, allowing high concentrations in the GI lumen.
What is “Red Man Syndrome,” and how is it managed?
A histamine-mediated reaction causing flushing, fever, and chills during vancomycin infusion. Managed by slowing the infusion rate and premedicating with antihistamines.
Why are fluoroquinolones contraindicated in children?
They may cause cartilage damage and joint problems.
What infections are fluoroquinolones especially effective against in GI pathogens?
Shigella, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter.
Why should alcohol be avoided with metronidazole?
It can cause a disulfiram-like reaction, leading to nausea, vomiting, and flushing.
What protozoal infections are treated with metronidazole?
Amebiasis, giardiasis, and trichomoniasis.
How does ivermectin selectively kill parasites without harming humans?
It targets glutamate-gated chloride channels, which are absent in humans, and does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
What is albendazole’s mechanism, and which life stage of helminths does it target in cysticercosis?
Inhibits microtubule formation; it targets the larval stage of Taenia solium.
