Chemotherapy Flashcards
Isoniazid
Limited spectrum antibiotic. First-line drug for prevention/treatment of TB
Inhibits mycolic acid synthesis
D-cycloserine
Antibiotic: structural analogue of D-Ala, prevents D-Ala-D-Ala & therefore pentapeptide inhibiting cell wall cross-linking
Fosfomycin
Antibiotic: inhibits pyruvyl transferase (required to convert NAG to NAM)
Approved in USA to treat UTI
Penicillin, Amoxicillin
Beta-lactam antibiotics irreversibly covalently bind to transpeptidases inhibiting cell wall peptidoglycan cross-linking
Methicillin
Beta-lactamase resistant beta-lactam antibiotic
Vancomycin
Glycopeptide antibiotic binds D-Ala-D-Ala preventing transpeptidase activity & cell wall cross-linkage formation
Effective against C. difficile & IV against Gram +ve cocci
Tetracycline
Broad spectrum polyketide antibiotic: binds 16 rRNA of 30S subunit
Inhibits tRNA entry to A-site & thus protein synthesis
Destroys gut flora (secondary infection) & stains/impairs structure of bone/teeth
Bacteriostatic
Streptomycin
Narrow spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic: binds 30S subunit & decrease fidelity of translation
Effective against aerobic Gram -ve rods eg Pseudomonas/Proteus (& some Gram +ve bacteria)
Exhibits nephro/ototoxicity (reduced in gentamycin)
Bactericidal
Erythromycin
Macrolide antibiotic: binds 50S subunit & blocks polypeptide exit tunnel
Similar spectrum to penicillin so suitable second-line drug for patients with penicillin allergy
Chloramphenicol
Very effective broad-spectrum antibiotic: binds 50S subunit & blocks peptidyl transferase activity
Uses limited by bone marrow suppression
Used in life-threatening infections (meningitis, typhus)
Fusidic acid
Narrow spectrum antibiotic: inhibits elongation factor G & thus movement of 30S subunit along mRNA
Used in staphylococcal infections (Gram +ve skin/eye infections)
Ciproflaxin
Synthetic, broad spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic: inhibits type II topoisomerases
Used in anthrax & Pseudomonas infections where oral therapy preferred (eg respiratory tract infections in cystic fibrosis)
Relatively expensive
Bacteriocidal
Rifampin
Antibiotic: binds beta-subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase blocking initiation of RNA synthesis
Does not inhibit synthesis in progress
Used in TB
Can be bactericidal
Daunomycin
Planar polycyclic anthracycline antibiotic: intercalates in dsDNA and causes local unwinding
Also fragments DNA via ROS formation (gives cardiovascular toxicity)
Used as an anticancer agent
Mitomycin C
Aziridine-containing antibiotic: alkylates and cross-links (at guanines) DNA
Prevents strand separation in DNA replication & transcription
Sulfamethoxazole
Sulfa drug antibiotic: competitive inhibitor of dihydropteroate synthase in tetrafolate biosynthesis
Trimethoprim
Antibiotic: inhibits dihydrofolate reductase in tetrafolate biosynthesis
Co-trimoxazole
Combination drug of sulfamethoxazole & trimethoprim causing rapid bactericidal effects (either on own have slow bactericidal effects)
Use discontinued in UK because implicated in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe & potentially fatal allergic reaction)
Still used in AIDS patients with fungal Pneumocystis carinii infections
Valinomycin
Cyclic peptide ionophore antibiotic: binds K+ ion and causes membrane depolarisation by facilitating diffusion across membrane
Compromises homeostasis, growth & cell viability
Amphotericin B
Polyene antifungal: forms pores in membrane dependent on ergosterol
Used in most systemic mycoses
Some Leishmania species have ergosterol in their membranes so active against these (antiprotozoal)
Miconazole
Imidazole antifungal: inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis
Some Leishmania species have ergosterol in their membranes so active against these (antiprotozoal)
Fluconazole
Triazole antifungal: inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis
Used in athlete’s foot & vaginal candidiasis