Anti-Infective Medication Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key anti-infective medications, their mechanisms, therapeutic uses, and key properties from the study guide.

Acyclovir

An antiviral medication that interferes with viral DNA synthesis after conversion to acyclovir triphosphate, decreasing viral replication; indicated for mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus, genital herpes, varicella, herpes zoster, and herpes simplex encephalitis.

Isoniazid (INH)

An antitubercular agent that causes bactericidal interference with mycobacterial lipid and nucleic-acid biosynthesis to treat and prevent tuberculosis (TB).

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)

A sulfonamide combination antiinfective that interferes with bacterial protein biosynthesis by sequential blockade of folate metabolism; used for UTIs, otitis media, chronic bronchitis, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.

Metronidazole

A direct-acting antiinfective agent that binds and degrades DNA, inhibiting bacterial nucleic-acid synthesis; used to treat Crohn disease, anaerobic respiratory infections, and intestinal amebiasis.

Doxycycline

A bacteriostatic tetracycline antiinfective that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding the $30\text{S}$ ribosomal subunit; can cause permanent tooth discoloration and affect bone growth in children younger than $8\,\text{years}$.

Ciprofloxacin

A broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antiinfective that interferes with bacterial DNA replication by affecting bacterial DNA enzymes; carries a serious warning for tendon injury/rupture.

Rifampin

A bactericidal rifamycin derivative antitubercular that inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, decreasing tuberculosis bacilli replication; causes urine, sweat, tears, and other body fluids to turn red-orange.

Amoxicillin/clavulanate

A broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic in which amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell-wall replication and clavulanate inhibits beta-lactamases, protecting amoxicillin from bacterial resistance.

Vancomycin

A bactericidal glycopeptide antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by blocking glycopeptide formation; oral form is used for C. difficile infection and IV form is used for serious gram-positive infections.

Red Man syndrome

An infusion reaction caused by rapid IV infusion of vancomycin, characterized by flushing/redness, itching, hypotension, and other reactions.