Antibiotics

Question 1

Penicillins
- examples
- mech
- uses
- SE

Answer 1

Penicillins
- examples: fluclox, coamox, amox
- mech: b lactam, inhibits cell wall synthesis (bacterialcidal)
- uses: meningitis, utis, skin infections, pneumonia, bone infections
- SE: diarrh, allergy, nausea, thrombocytopenia

Question 2

Macrolides:
- examples
- mech
- se
- cautions

Answer 2

Macrolides
- examples: clarithromycin, erythro, azithro
- mech: stops ribosomal translocation hence bacterial proteinsynthesis (bacteriocidal)
- SE: prolonged QT syndrome, nausea, cholestatic jaundice, azithromycin h loss/tinnitus, torsades de pointes
- Cautions: statins stop (inhibits p450 enzyme which breaks it down so inc risk rhabdomyolysis)

Question 3

Tetracyclines:
- examples
- mech
- uses
- cautions
- se

Answer 3

• examples: deoxy
• mech: stops trna binding therefore inhibits bacterial proteinsynthesis (bacteriostatic)
• uses: resp infections, stis, lymes, acne
• cautions: not if <12/preg/breastf as stains teeth, may exacerbate MG/SLE
• se: photosensitivity, angiooedema, black hairy tongue

Question 4

Quinolones:
- examples
- mech
- uses

Answer 4

• ex: ciprofloxacin, fluoroquinone
• mech: inhibits topoisomerase inhibiting transcription
• uses: gonorr, utis, pseudo
• se: achilles tendinitis (if also on steroids risk of rupture!!), convulsions as lowers seizure threshold, lengthens qt, aortic dissection
• cautions: preg, breastfeeding, g6pd

Question 5

Glycopeptides:
- ex
- mech
- se

Answer 5

Glycopeptides:
- ex: vancomycin
- mech: inhibits cell wall synthesis, particularly used in mrsa
- se: nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, thrombophlebitis

Question 6

Folate antagonists:
- ex
- mech
- se
- cautions

Answer 6

Folate antagonists:
- ex: trimethoprim
- mech: inhibits dihydrofolate reductase interfering with dna synthesis
- se: myelosupp, transient rise in creatinine
- cautions: preg (teratogenic in t1)

Question 7

Antivirals:
- acyclovir mech
- oseltamivir mech

Answer 7

• acyc: dna polymerase inhib - hsv
• oselt: neuraminidase inhib - stops it detaching from cell