Antibiotics

Question 1

Penicillins (Beta lactam)

Answer 1

• Amoxicillin
• Co-amoxiclav
• Piperacillin-Tazobactam (Tazocin)
• Flucloxacillin
• Phenoxymethylpenicillin

MoA - Beta-lactam: inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis

Indications: Respiratory infection, pneumonia, H. pylori

Adverse effects - Rash, hypersensitivity

Interactions - Warfarin, methotrexate

Question 2

Carbapenems (Beta lactam)

Answer 2

Meropenem

MoA - Beta-lactam: inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis

Indications - Meningitis, hospital-acquired septicaemia

Adverse effects - Abdo pain, pruritus

Question 3

Cepahlosporins (Beta lactam)

Answer 3

Ceftriaxone

MoA - Beta-lactam: inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis

Indications - Gram-negative infections (third generation), meningitis

Adverse effects - GI disturbances, colitis

Interactions - Warfarin

Question 4

Antifolate antibiotic

Answer 4

Trimethoprim

MoA - Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase

Indication - UTI

Adverse effects - Rash, GI disturbances

Interactions - Methotrexate

Question 5

Fluoroquinolones

Answer 5

Ciprofloxacin

MoA - Inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase

Indications - Respiratory tract infection

Adverse effects - Nausea, convulsions

Interactions - Iron salts, NSAIDs

Question 6

Macrolide antibiotics

Answer 6

Erythromycin, azithromycin

MoA - Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis

Indications - pneumonia

Adverse effects - GI disturbance, headache

Interactions - digoxin, theophylline, statins

Question 7

Tetracycline antibiotic

Answer 7

Doxycycline

MoA - Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis

Indications - Community-acquired pneumonia

Question 8

Nitrofuran

Answer 8

Nitrofurantoin

MoA - Bacterial DNA interference

Indication - UTI

Adverse effects - Peripheral neuropathy

Question 9

Aminoglycoside

Answer 9

Gentamicin

MoA - Inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis

Indications - Ophthalmic infection

Question 10

Nitroimidazole (anti-aerobe agent)

Answer 10

Metronidazole

MoA - Inhibition of bacterial DNA synthesis

Indication - Anaerobic bacterial infection, leg ulcers, pressure sores

Question 11

Antituberculosis drugs (used in combination)

Answer 11

Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol

MoA - Inhibition of mycobacterial cell wall synthesis (Isoniazid, Ethambutol); inhibition of mycobacterial RNA synthesis (Rifampicin)

Indications - Tuberculosis

Adverse effects - Hepatotoxicity