Antimicrobial Drugs

Question 1

What are Antimicrobial Drugs?

Answer 1

Chemicals used to treat microbial infections.

Question 2

What is a chemotherapeutic Agent?

Answer 2

A chemical of natural/synthetic origin, used for its specific action against disease, usually against infection.

Question 3

What are characteristics of the Ideal Drug?

Answer 3

1. Selective Toxicity: against the target pathogen; chemotherapeutic index
2. Bactericidal (kills) vs. Bacteriostatic (Inhibits growth)
3. Favorable pharmacokinetics: get to target site with sufficient concentration
4. Spectrum of Activity: Narrow range vs Wide Range
5. Lack of Side effects
6. Little resistance development

Question 4

Synergistic vs. Antagonistic Effects of Combining Drugs

Answer 4

Synergistic: Acction of drug enhances activity of another

Antagonistic: activity of one drug interferes with the action of another

Question 5

Antimicrobiral drugs Adverse Effects: Allergic, Toxic, Suppression of normal flora

Answer 5

Allergic: some people have develop hypersensitivities to antimicrobials

Toxic: Can be toxic at high concentrations

Suppression of normal flora: when normal flora killed, other pathogens grow to high numbers

Question 6

Penicillins: Natural, Anti-staphylococcal

Answer 6

Natural: PCN G/V; used for oral infections

Anti-staph: methicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin

Question 7

Aminopenicillin

Answer 7

Ampicillin, sulbactam, amoxicillin, clavulanate

First line for acute otitis, sinusitis

Question 8

Antipseudomonal Penicillin

Answer 8

Ticarcillin, Piperacillin

Used with aminoglycoside to treat pseudmonal infections

Question 9

Adverse Reactions of Penicillin Drugs

Answer 9

Hypersensitivity reaction

Rashes

Anaphylaxis: hives, angioedema, rhinitis, asthma,

Question 10

Cephalosporins and Adverse Rxns

Answer 10

More resistant to B-Lactamase

4 generations, goes from gram negative to gram positive

Adverse: Cross sensitivity with penicillin allergic rxns.

Question 11

Monobactams and Adverse Rxns

Answer 11

Aztreonam

B-Lactamase resistant

Narrow anti-bacterial spectrum,

little cross-allergenicity, Safe for pen. allergic patients

Adverse: Gram + infection

Question 12

Carbapanems and Adverse Rxn

Answer 12

Imipenem-cilostatin

Broad spectrum B-Lactam

Toxicity: PCN Allergy, seizures

Question 13

Vancomycin and Adverse Rxn

Answer 13

Tricyclic glucopeptide

Works against gram+

Synergy with aminoglycosides

Adverse: fever, chills, phlebitis, ototoxic

Question 14

Antibacterial medications inhibiting protein synthesis

Answer 14

aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides

Question 15

Aminoglycosides

Answer 15

Neomycin, Gentamicin, Tobramycin

Synergy with cell wall inhibitors, increase permeability

Ototoxic, Nephrotoxic

Question 16

Tetracyclines

Answer 16

Doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline

Adverse: N/V/D, hypersensitivity rxns, photosensitivity, impaired growth/development of bones, teeth especially in children