Sketchy Pharm: Tetracycline Flashcards
The tetracyclines are bacterio-______________.
static (like the guy with the jammed typewriter next to the racetrack)
Which part of the ribosome do tetracyclines bind?
The 30S subunit (like the journalist with the 30-second timer)
Tetracyclines are effective against _________________.
Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms –even MRSA
Think of the prisms held by the second- and third-place finishers and the “No MeRcy” sign held by the fan.
What are some specific infections that are often treated with tetracyclines?
Tick-borne parasites such as Borrelia, Rickettsia, and Francisella (think of the deer by the journalist near the finish line)
Brucella (like the cow named bruce)
Culture-negative endocarditis, often from Coxiella (think of the ram with the Q-shaped horn and the rusty but clean heart bell.)
What disease is represented on the seat of the cyclist crossing the finish line?
Chlamydia (there is a clam on her seat and her handlebars look like a uterus)
Another use of tetracyclines is for ____________ pneumonia.
atypical
(This is represented in two places: the cyclist crossing the finish line is wearing a clam-shell bra –symbolizing chlamydial pneumonia –and behind the champions is a snowshoer –symbolizing walking pneumonia and “MY COld PLASMA.”)
What decreases absorption of tetracyclines?
Metal cations, because tetracyclines chelate metal ions; because of this, avoid taking tetracyclines with milk, antacids, or ferrous sulfate.
(Think of the Ca, Fe, and Mg metals near the finish line.)
Because tetracyclines bind to metal cations, they should not be given to ________________.
children or pregnant women; tetracyclines can discolor teeth and act as a teratogen by binding to fetal bone
(Think of the new mom being scared by the tarantula and the baby biting and discoloring the metal.)
Use of expired tetracyclines has been associated with ________________.
Fanconi syndrome with type 2 renal tubular acidosis
The FAN is shouting through the CONe and pulling the EXPIRED CYCLIst to the finish line.
What are common side effects of tetracyclines?
GI upset and photosensitivity
Think of the cyclist who crashed in a mud puddle being taken photos of.
The most common method of resistance to tetracyclines is ___________.
development of efflux pumps (like the EFFLUX bike PUMP that the fallen cyclist is using)
Another great use of tetracyclines is for broad-spectrum needs in patients with __________ failure.
renal, because tetracyclines are fecally eliminated
Think of the huge intestinal pipe in the distance.
