Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Flashcards
What factors are important when deciding whether to use IV or Oral antimicrobials?
Oral bio-availability - Ratio of the drug level when given orally compared to level if given IV
Oral route:
- Not vomitting
- Normal GI function
- No shock
- No organ dysfunction
IV route:
- For severe or deep-seated infection
- When oral route is not reliable
What is the spectrum of actions of different antimicrobial groups?
Inhibition of cell wall synthesis
Inhibition of Protein synthesis
Inhibition of Nucleic acid Synthesis
What is the advantage of using single therapy?
- Simpler
- Fewer side effects
- Fewer drug interactions
What are the advantages of using combination antimicrobial therapy?
- Good for HIV and TB therapy
- Good for sepsis
- Good for mixed organisms
Why is it important to monitor the number of antibiotics being prescribed?
- Overuse of broadspectrum antibiotics can lead to infection outbreaks (e.g. Vale of Leven)
- Reduce the 4 C’s (Ciprofloxacin, Co-Amoxiclav, Clindamycin, Ceftriaxone)
What are the commonly encountered adverse effects of antimicrobials?
1) Allergic reactions (immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions)
2) GI - Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
3) Candida (Thrush)
4) Liver problems
5) Renal problems
6) Neurological (ototoxicity - gentamicin, vancomycin)
7) Haematological
What are the common diseases treated with antivirals?
Herpes virus
HIV
Hepatitis B & C
Influenza
What antiviral is used to treat herpes?
Herpes - Aciclovir
What antiviral is used to treat HIV?
HIV - Tenofovir
Which antiviral drug is used to treat hepatitis B&C
Tenofovir
Which antiviral is used to treat influenza?
Oseltamivir
What are the most likely organisms causing a soft tissue infection?
Strep pyogenes
Staph aureus
How should soft tissue infections be treated?
Flucoloxacilin
Which group of antibiotic kill bacteria cells?
Beta-lactams
Which group of antibiotics stop bacteria cells from increasing in number?
Macrolides
