Antibiotic therapy Flashcards
lincosamides
Which drug of this class is the most used in feline medicine? What is the chemical characteristic of this drug
Clindamycin is the most commonly used drug of this class
It is a derivative of lincomycin (a chloride ion has been added)
- This increases its effectiveness (increased bactericidal activity) and bioavailability and decreases its toxicity compared to the parent drug
What is the mechanism of action of clindamycin
The antibacterial action of the lincosamides is the same as the macrolides
- They bind to the same part of the large ribosomal subunit, blocking the translation of mRNA into proteins
What clinical consequenc can be deducted from the mechanism of action of macrolides and lincosamides
Macrolides and lincosamides compete for the same binding sites, thus they should not be used concurrently
What is the spectrum of action of lincosamides
They are useful against gram-positive aerobes and oobligate anaerobes, which makes them a good choice for abscesses and periodontal disease
Clindamycin has also efficacy against Toxoplasma gondii
As is the case with macrolide antibiotics, these drugs are often bacteriostatic, but tend to be bactericidal at higher concentrations
What are the two important points of the pharmacokinetics of lincosamides
They are widely distributed in the tissues but they cannot penetrate the aqueous or blodd-brain bariers unless inflammation is present
Like macrolides, these drugs accumulate within phagocytes, making them useful against intracellular pathogens and infection that cause abscess formation
Plasma drug levels can be increased in patients with severe renal or hepatic dysfunction and dose adjustments are advisable
What are the side effects of clindamycin
Generally, clindamycin is a safe drug in cats
It may cause GI side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea
- These can be reduced by administering the drug with food
It can cause esophageal irritation and strictures
- It should be administered with water or immediately before food
