W34/L5: Drug synergy

Question 1

What’s an example of a NRTI for HIV?

Answer 1

Zidovudine

Question 2

What’s an example of a NNRTI for HIV?

Answer 2

Nevirapine

it “nevir” even gets a chance to bind

Question 3

What’s an example of an integrase inhibitor for HIV?

Answer 3

Raltegravir

Question 4

What’s an example of a protease inhibitor for HIV?

Answer 4

Saquinavir
Lopinavir
Ritonavir

Question 5

What’s the process behind Lopinavir + Ritonavir synergy?

Answer 5

Ritonavir is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4, which metabolises other PI’s too - so the half life of Lopinavir is enhanced

Question 6

What combination of ABs can be synergistic and why?

Answer 6

Aminoglycosides + beta lactams,

As the penicillins make the wall less intact, which facilitates gentamycin’s intracellular action.

Question 7

What’s the mechanism behind flucytosine and amphotericin synergy?

Answer 7

Flucytosine inhibit DNA synthesis, and usually inters by a channel, which can be mutated in some fungi.

Amphotericin degrades the cell membrane, so flucytosine can get in anyway.