Mechanisms of action of antibiotics Flashcards
Which big groups of antimicrobials use inhibition of cell wall synthesis to inhibit bacteria?
Penicilllins
Cephalosporins
Glycopeptides
What is the collective name for penicillins and cephalosporins?
Beta-lactams
Give two examples of glycopeptides
Vancomycin and teicoplanin
Which organisms do vancomycin and teicoplanin act on?
Only gram positive organisms
What is a common problem with vancomycin?
It is toxic
Gram negative bacteria is resistant to what pencillin?
Benzyl penicillin
What are aminoglycosides especially useful in the treatment of?
Serious gram negative infection
Why must the serum levels of gentamicin be regularly checked when it is administered?
It is toxic
Give example of a macrolide
Erythromycin
Macrolide antibiotics work on what type of organism?
Gram positive
Macrolides are alternatives to what?
Penicillins
Name a protein synthesis inhibitor that has good activity against MRSA
Linezolid
What is ciprofloxacin effective against?
Gram negative organisms
Name two antimicrobials that inhibit purine synthesis
Trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole
What group of people can Ciprofloxacin not be used on?
Children
Which groups of antimicrobials inhibit protein synthesis?
Aminoglycosides Macrolides Tetracyclines Oxazolidinones Cyclic Lipopeptide
Which groups of antimicrobials inhibit nucleic acid synthesis?
Trimethoprim
Sulphamethoxazole
Fluoroquinolones
Which anti-viral drug acts against herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus?
Aciclovir
What are echinocandins used for?
Serious candida and aspergillus infections
What do polyenes bind to?
Ergosterol
Where is ergosterol present?
In the fungal cell membrane
What is the only polyene that is available for intravenous use?
Amphotericin B
What is the name of the polyene drug that is available for topical use only?
Nystatin
Which drugs inhibit ergosterol synthesis?
Azoles
What is the name of the commonest species of yeast?
Candida albicans
What type of infection does fluconazole treat?
Yeast infection
What is terbinafine used to treat?
Fungal infection of skin and nails
What is no anti-viral drug able to do?
Kill the virus
What does zidovudine interfere with in HIV?
Reverse transcriptase
What is lamivudine mainly used for?
HIV treatment
What are the two most commonly measured antibiotics in terms of their serum?
Gentamicin and vancomycin
Name a protease inhibitor involved in the treatment for HIV
Saquinavir
