Antibiotic concepts Flashcards
Name 3 classes of antibiotics that act on the bacterial cell wall
penicillins
cephalosporins
glycopeptides - vancomycin, teicoplanin
How can vancomycin be administered
has to be IV - not absorbed orally
are penicillins and cephalosporins both safe in pregnancy
yes
how are penicillins excreted
kidneys (rapidly!)
how are cephalosporins excreted
kidneys and urine
examples of macrolide antibiotics
‘mycin’s
erythromycin
clarithromycin
azithromycin
how do macrolides work
inhibit protein synthesis
bacteriostatic
how is the lipophilic property of macrolides beneficial
allows them to pass through cell membranes easily so they are useful for when bacteria ‘hide’
what type of antibiotic is gentamicin and how does it work
aminoglycoside
inhibits protein synthesis
bacteriocidal
clindamycin, chloramphenicol and tetracyclines work by ?
inhibiting protein synthesis
what antibiotic inhibits folic acid synthesis
trimethoprim
how does metronidazole work
causes strand breakage of bacterial DNA
what is metronidazole useful for treating
true anaerobes
some protozoa
are fluoroquinolone bacteriostatic or bactericidal
bactericidal
examples of Fluoroquinolones
ciprofloxacin
levofloxacin
how do Fluoroquinolones work
stop DNA replication
why is the use of Fluoroquinolones restricted
to reduce risk of c.diff
side effects of gentamicin
kidney damage
deafness/dizziness
side effect of vancomycin
kidney damage
when should tetracyclines be avoided?
children <12 - can cause permanent staining of teeth and bones
Name 3 adverse effects of quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
weakens tendons
may damage joints in children
may cause seizures
What 2 classes of antibiotics are generally safe in pregnancy
penicillins
cephalosporins
what antibiotics should be avoided during the 1st trimester of pregnancy
metronidazole
trimethoprim
what antibiotics are avoided in pregnancy completely
gentamicin
tetracyclines
fluoroquinolones
