chemotherapeutic agents drugs

Tetracycline

An antibacterial drug that works by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, preventing the formation of the polypeptide chain.

Chloramphenicol

An antibacterial drug that works by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, inhibiting transpeptidation and slowing down the movement of the peptide chain.

Acridines

Antibacterial agents that alter the base-pairing properties of the DNA template, causing disruption in DNA synthesis and preventing bacterial reproduction.

Actinomycin D

An antibacterial drug that inhibits RNA polymerase, preventing transcription and triggering apoptosis of the cell.

Metronidazole

An antibacterial drug that works directly on the DNA, causing damage and inhibiting bacterial growth.

Fluoroquinolones

Antibacterial drugs that inhibit DNA gyrase, preventing DNA replication and bacterial growth.

Sulphonamides

Antibacterial drugs that inhibit folate synthesis, an essential component for bacterial growth.

Tyrocidines & Gramicidin A

Antibacterial agents that disorganize membrane structure, leading to bacterial cell death.

Polymyxins

Antibacterial agents that disorganize membrane structure, leading to bacterial cell death.

Beta-lactam

Antibacterial agents that inhibit cell wall synthesis, preventing bacterial growth.

Isoniazid

An anti-mycobacterial drug that inhibits mycoacid synthesis, preventing the growth of mycobacteria.

Rifampicin

An anti-mycobacterial drug that inhibits RNA synthesis, preventing the growth of mycobacteria.

Cisplatin

An alkylating agent used in the treatment of testicular cancer, which alters the double helix shape of DNA.

Fluorouracil

An antimetabolite drug that inhibits pyrimidine thymidine synthesis, used in the treatment of leukemia, breast cancer, and other cancers.

Vincristine

A plant-derived drug that inhibits microtubule formation, used in the treatment of leukemia, neuroblastoma, and lymphomas.

Actinomycin C, Mitomycin

Antineoplastic antibiotics that interrelate between DNA bases and break DNA bonds, used in the treatment of various cancers.

Doxorubicin

An anthracycline drug that inhibits topoisomerase II, intercalates into DNA, blocks DNA and RNA synthesis, and generates free radicals, used widely in cancer treatment.

Cortisol

A hormonal drug that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and has anti-inflammatory effects, used in therapy and palliative care.

Oestrogen

A hormonal drug that negatively feedback inhibits GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus, used in the palliative treatment of androgen-dependent prostatic tumors.

Progestogens

Hormonal drugs that inhibit endometrial cell growth and cause cell differentiation, used in the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer.

Tamoxifen

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators and Antiestrogens that block the actions of estrogen in breast tissue, inhibiting the growth of breast cancer.

Fulvestrant

Antiestrogens that act as antagonists of estrogen in all tissues, used in the treatment of progressive breast cancer.

Anastrozole

An aromatase inhibitor that inhibits the conversion of androgens to estrogen in the adrenal cortex, used in the treatment of advanced prostate carcinoma.

Enzalutamide

An anti-androgen drug that inhibits androgen binding to androgen receptors, used in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Bevacizumab

A monoclonal antibody that neutralizes VEGF, preventing angiogenesis crucial for tumor survival, used in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Trastuzumab

Monoclonal antibodies that bind to HER2/ERBB2, causing the immune system to react, used in the treatment of breast cancer overexpressing HER2.

Acyclovir

An antiviral drug that inhibits viral DNA polymerase by competing with endogenous nucleosides, used in the treatment of HSV-1 & -2, CMV, and varicella.

Ribavirin / Taribavirin

Antiviral drugs that inhibit viral DNA polymerase by competing with endogenous nucleosides, used in the treatment of viral respiratory infections.

Amantadine, Rimantadine

Antiviral drugs that inhibit viral uncoating, blocking viral H+-ion channel and preventing acidification of virus-containing vesicles, used in the treatment of viral respiratory infections (influenza A).

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

An

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body.

Administration

The method by which a drug is given to a patient, such as intravenous (IV) or oral.

Absorption

The process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from its site of administration.

Distribution

The movement of a drug throughout the body, including its concentration in different tissues and organs.

Metabolism

The process by which a drug is broken down and transformed by the body.

Excretion

The elimination of a drug from the body, usually through urine or feces.

Side effects

Unintended and often undesirable effects of a drug, which can range from mild to severe.

Alkylating agent

A type of chemotherapy drug that contains a chemical group that produces highly reactive carbonium ion intermediates, which react with nucleophilic substances in cells and prevent replication.

Metronidazole

An alkylating agent used in combination therapy that directly affects DNA itself, preventing synthesis.

Spectrum of activity

The range of bacteria or organisms that a drug is effective against.

Clinical use

The specific medical conditions or infections for which a drug is prescribed or recommended.

Drug interactions

The effects that occur when two or more drugs are taken together, which can alter the effectiveness or side effects of each drug.

Resistance

The ability of bacteria or organisms to withstand the effects of a drug, often due to genetic mutations or changes in cellular processes.

DNA gyrase

An essential bacterial enzyme that unwinds the DNA helix, and is the target of fluoroquinolone drugs.

Fluoroquinolones

A class of antibiotics that inhibit DNA gyrase, leading to irreversible damage and death of bacteria.

Sulphonamides

A class of antibiotics that inhibit nucleotide (folic acid) synthesis in bacteria.

Membrane active agents

Drugs that affect the structure, permeability, or enzyme systems of bacterial cell membranes.

Tyrocidines & Gramicidin A

Membrane active agents that act as ionophores, disrupting bacterial cell homeostasis and causing cell death.

Polymyxins

Membrane active agents that bind to lipopolysaccharides in bacterial membranes, affecting membrane permeability and causing displacement of ions.

Beta-lactams

A class of antibiotics that interfere with the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a component of bacterial cell walls, leading to cell death.

Cephalosporins

A class of antibiotics related to penicillins, with a similar mechanism of action but more activity against gram-negative bacteria.

Anti-mycobacterial drugs

Drugs used to treat tuberculosis, which inhibit the synthesis of cell wall components in mycobacteria.

Isoniazid

An anti-mycobacterial drug that inhibits the synthesis of mycolic acids, essential components of mycobacterial cell walls.

Ethambutol

An anti-mycobacterial drug that inhibits the synthesis of arabinogalactan, another component of mycobacterial cell walls.

First-line anti-tuberculous drug

A medication that is commonly used as an initial treatment for tuberculosis, often in combination with other drugs like isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide.

Side effects

Uncommon adverse reactions that may occur as a result of taking the medication.

Optic neuritis

A condition where the optic nerve becomes inflamed, which can be dose-related and associated with renal failure when taking the drug.

GIT disturbances

Gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, that may be experienced as a side effect of the medication.

Resistance

The common occurrence of the drug becoming ineffective when used alone, often due to mutations in arabinosyl transferases.

Inhibition of RNA synthesis

The mechanism of action of the drug, where it binds to the beta-subunit of bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, leading to conformational changes that hinder the polymerase from binding to the initiation sequence of DNA, ultimately inhibiting RNA synthesis.

Rifampicin

A bactericidal drug primarily used to treat mycobacterial infections, including tuberculosis and leprosy.

Clinical uses

The medical conditions for which the drug is commonly prescribed, including tuberculosis and leprosy.

Orange discoloration

A side effect of rifampicin that causes urine, tears, and sweat to turn orange.

Rashes, fever, jaundice, low platelet count

Additional side effects that may occur when taking rifampicin.

Resistance

The development of mutations in RNA polymerase, preventing rifampicin from binding effectively.