Infection

Question 1

Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Flucloxacillin, Co-Amoxiclav

Answer 1

Penicillin Antibiotics - Beta-lactams - bind penicillin binding protein (PBP), interfere with cell wall synthesis. Co-amoxiclav is combined with clavulunate which is a beta-lactamase inhibitor
Indications: Likely gram positive infections eg Strep
ADRs: Hypersensitivity, encephalopathy, diarrhoea

Question 2

Cefaclor, Cefotaxime

Answer 2

Cephalosporin antibiotics - prevent formation of bacterial cell wall by binding penicillin binding protein and preventing cross linking (Beta-lactams)
Indications: Gram positive and negative. Cefotaxime is more active against gram negative
ADRs: Hypersensitivity, Colitis

Question 3

Aztreonam

Answer 3

Monobactam (Beta-lactam) antibiotic
Indications: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae (gram negative aerobic bacteria
ADRs: Hypersensitivity (less than other beta-lactams), colitis

Question 4

Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Oxytetracycline

Answer 4

Tetracycline antibiotics - inhibit protein synthesis by binding to ribosomes.
Indications: Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Bronchitis (Haemophilus influenzae)
ADRs: Staining of teeth and bones in children, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersensitivity (Steven-Johnson syndrome)

Question 5

Gentamicin, Neomycin

Answer 5

Aminoglycoside antibiotics - inhibit protein synthesis by binding to bacterial ribosome
Indications: Broad spectrum - gentamicin = Septicaemia, Meningitis, biliary tract infection, pyelonephritis, neomycin = infections of skin and mucous membranes, too toxic to give parenterally.
ADRs: Nephrotoxicity and Ototoxicity

Question 6

Erythromycin, Clarithromycin

Answer 6

Macrolide Antibiotics - inhibit protein synthesis
Indications: Use in penicillin allergy - campylobacter, respiratory and skin infections. Clarithromycin is used to eradicate H. pylori
ADRs: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, hepatotoxicity and rash

Question 7

Vancomycin

Answer 7

Glycopeptide antibiotic - prevent cell wall synthesis by preventing cross linking.
Indications: Multi-resistant staphylococci, C. diff, Endocarditis
ADRs: Nephrotoxicity, Ototoxicity, Neutropenia

Question 8

Ethambutol, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Rifampicin

Answer 8

Antituberculosis drugs (first line treatment)
ADRs: Ethambutol - visual disturbance, Isoniazid - peripheral neuropathy and hepatotoxicity, pyrazinamide - hepatotoxicity, Rifampicin - CYP450 induction, orange urine, raised transaminases

Question 9

Amantadine, Rimantadine

Answer 9

Antiviral - block M2 ion channel and hence inhibit viral uncoating
Uses: Influenza A
ADRs: Central Nervous System Effects (other use is as antiparkinsonian drug)

Question 10

Zanamivir, Oseltamivir

Answer 10

Antiviral - neuraminidase inhibitors, inhibit replication
Indications: Influenza A and B - Post exposure prophylaxis and treatment
ADRs: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, headache

Question 11

Nystatin, Amphotericin

Answer 11

Antifungals - polyenes, inhibit cell membrane function
Indications: Nystatin - topical treatment of Candida, Amphotericin - IV for systemic fungal infection
ADRs: Nystatin - irritation and local hypersensitivity
Amphotericin - hepatic and rènal toxicity, anaphylaxis

Question 12

Clotrimazole

Answer 12

Antifungal- Imidazole
Uses - vaginal candidiasis and dermatophyte infections (topical)
ADRS: Local irritation

Question 13

Chloroquine

Answer 13

Antimalarial (antiprotozoal) - used in prophylaxis, but not treatment as falciparum is often resistant.
ADRs - dangerous in overdose, GI disturbances, headache, skin reactions, convulsions, hypotension etc.

Question 14

Metronidazole

Answer 14

Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal agent that is also active against anaerobic bacteria.
Uses: trichomonas vaginitis, giardia lamblia diarrhoea, amoebae – dysentery & systemic infection
ADRs: nausea, vomiting, furred tongue, anorexia, taste disturbance, mucositis