Antibiotics Flashcards
What can Trimethoprim be used for?
To treat bacterial infections like UTIs
How does trimethoprim work?
It inhibits the reduction of dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid (active form) which is a necessary component for synthesising purines required for DNA and protein production.
What does trimethoprim target/ compete with?
Dihydrofolate reductase
What are the side effects of trimethoprim?
- skin reactions
- diarrhoea
- prolonged use can lead to folate deficiency
- hyperkalaemia
How does Gentamicin work as an antibiotic?
Binds to the bacterial 30s ribosomal subunit disturbing the translation of mRNA leading to the formation of dysfunctional proteins.
What does Gentamicin target?
30S ribosomes
What are the side effects of Gentamicin?
- Ototoxicity -> hearing or balance problems
- Nephrotoxicity
What is nephrotoxicity in the context of gentamicin?
Gentamicin is usually cleared away/ metabolised by the kidneys.
If the kidneys aren’t working, it can build up and worsen kidney functioning.
What are the 2 main components of Co-amoxiclav?
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid
Describe the mechanism of amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin -> binds to bacterial penicillin binding proteins. This prevents transpeptidation (the cross linking process for bacterial cell wall synthesis)
Describe the mechanism of clavulanic acid.
an inhibitor of beta lactamase (bacterial enzymes which break down penicillins and confer resistance)
What is the target of amoxicillin?
penicillin binding proteins
What is the target of clavulanic acid?
beta lactamase
What are the most common side effects of Co-amoxiclav?
- nausea
- diarrhoea.
