Sketchy Pharm: Macrolides

Question 1

Macrolides bind to the ___________ of bacterial ribosomes.

Answer 1

50S (specifically the 23S part of it)

Question 2

Macrolides are considered bacterio-__________.

Answer 2

static.

Question 3

Macrolides are used for the treatment of ____________ as well as prophylactic treatment for those contacted.

Answer 3

Bordetella pertussis

Question 4

Those with histories of penicillin allergies are given macrolides for _______________.

Answer 4

community-acquired pneumonia (from Streptococcus, Moraxella, or Haemophilus)

Question 5

What pneumonias –represented by things outside Poe’s window –can be treated with macrolides?

Answer 5

Mycoplasma (the snowshoer), chlamydia (the mermaid on the front of the ship), and Legionella (the crashed ships in Boston harbor)

Question 6

The red crow symbolizes what?

Answer 6

That erythromycin (get it?) eye drops can treat conjunctivitis and urethritis from chlamydia and gonorrhea

(The red crow is erythromycin; the painting of the Birth of Venus symbolizes ChLAMydia; and the chandelier above her symbolizes gonorrhea.)

Question 7

What two diseases are represented in the lower-right corner of the sketch?

Answer 7

The cross-wielding vampire hunter symbolizes babesiosis and the bull-man symbolizes Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Question 8

Azithromycin is often used for prophylaxis against ___________________.

Answer 8

Mycoplasma avium in those with AIDS

(Think of the bird in the M. avium cage on the book titled “Birds: A-Z.” Also, there is a map with “50” written on it beneath the book.)

Question 9

What are some side effects of macrolides?

Answer 9

Increased GI motility (resulting in diarrhea, like the puddle beneath Poe), torsades (like the winding graph of points coming out of the typewriter), and inhibition of CYP450 (like the broken down carriage outside)

Note: azithromycin is the only one that doesn’t induce CYP450 (like the “It’s A OK.”)