Chemotherapeutic Agents — Vocabulary Flashcards (Pharmacology)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides), TB drugs (RIPES), antivirals (influenza, herpes/CMV, HIV, hepatitis B), and locally active agents, with brief definitions of each term.

Penicillin G (Benzylpenicillin)

Narrow-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotic; bactericidal; inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins.

Penicillin V

Oral penicillin; acid-stable; provides similar activity to Penicillin G for susceptible organisms.

Amoxicillin

Broad-spectrum penicillin; often combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor (Augmentin) to extend activity.

Ampicillin

Broad-spectrum penicillin; available in injectable and oral forms; susceptible to beta-lactamases.

Bacampicillin

Broad-spectrum penicillin ester prodrug useful against susceptible bacteria.

Cloxacillin

Penicillinase-resistant penicillin used against penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aureus.

Oxacillin

Penicillinase-resistant penicillin; similar role to cloxacillin in resistant strains.

Dicloxacillin

Penicillinase-resistant penicillin with activity against penicillinase-producing organisms.

Nafcillin

Penicillinase-resistant penicillin used for certain staphylococcal infections.

Methicillin

Historically important penicillinase-resistant penicillin; largely replaced by other agents due to MRSA concerns.

Piperacillin + Tazobactam (Tazocin)

Extended-spectrum penicillin combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor to broaden activity.

Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid (Augmentin)

Combination that inhibits beta-lactamases, extending amoxicillin’s spectrum.

Ticarcillin + Clavulanic Acid (Timentin)

Extended-spectrum penicillin combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor.

Ampicillin + Sulbactam (Unasyn)

Combination therapy: ampicillin with a beta-lactamase inhibitor to extend coverage.

Beta-lactamase inhibitors

Compounds (e.g., clavulanic acid, tazobactam, sulbactam) that block beta-lactamase enzymes, restoring penicillin/cephalosporin activity.

Cephalosporins

Beta-lactam antibiotics with expanding Gram-positive to Gram-negative coverage across generations.

1st Generation Cephalosporins

Primarily active against Gram-positive cocci; limited against Gram-negative rods.

Cefadroxil

1st-gen cephalosporin; oral agent with good activity against many Gram-positive organisms.

Cefazolin

1st-gen cephalosporin; commonly used parenterally for surgical prophylaxis and other infections.

Cephalexin

1st-gen cephalosporin; oral agent for skin/soft tissue and other infections.

2nd Generation Cephalosporins

Broader Gram-negative coverage than 1st gen; some anaerobic activity.

Cefaclor

2nd-gen cephalosporin; expanded activity against Haemophilus influenzae and other organisms.

Cefamandole

2nd-gen cephalosporin with enhanced Gram-negative coverage.

3rd Generation Cephalosporins (HENPEcKS)

Greater Gram-negative activity; variable Gram-positive activity; strong CNS penetration for some agents.

Cefdinir

3rd-gen cephalosporin; oral administration; broad Gram-negative coverage.

Cefixime

3rd-gen cephalosporin; oral; good activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Cefotaxime

3rd-gen cephalosporin; wide spectrum; IV administration.

Cefpodoxime

3rd-gen cephalosporin; oral; broad-spectrum coverage.

Ceftazidime

3rd-gen cephalosporin with strong activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Ceftriaxone

3rd-gen cephalosporin; long half-life; IV; broad-spectrum coverage.

Ceftibuten

3rd-gen cephalosporin; oral; broad Gram-negative activity.

Cefoperazone

3rd-gen cephalosporin; IV; broad-spectrum, including some Pseudomonas activity.

4th Generation Cephalosporins

Broader Gram-positive and Gram-negative activity with increased beta-lactamase stability.

Cefepime

4th-gen cephalosporin; intravenous; broad-spectrum including Pseudomonas.

Cefditoren

4th-gen cephalosporin; oral; broad activity.

Ceftaroline

4th-gen cephalosporin with activity against MRSA.

Carbapenems

Broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics highly resistant to beta-lactamases.

Imipenem + Cilastatin (Tienam)

Carbapenem combination; broad-spectrum bactericidal action; cilastatin protects against renal degradation.

Ertapenem (Invanz)

Carbapenem with broad activity but limited Pseudomonas/Acinetobacter coverage.

Meropenem (Merrem)

Carbapenem with broad Gram-positive/negative and anaerobic coverage.

Monobactam

Beta-lactam with activity primarily against Gram-negative bacteria.

Aztreonam (Azactam)

Monobactam; parenteral; active against Gram-negative aerobes with minimal Gram-positive or anaerobic activity.

Sulfonamides

Antagonists of dihydropteroate synthase; inhibit folic acid synthesis; bacteriostatic to bactericidal depending on concentration.

Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)

Sulfonamide used for UTIs, otitis media, meningitis; often combined with trimethoprim.

Sulfadiazine (Co-trimazine)

Broad-spectrum sulfonamide antibiotic.

Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin)

Sulfonamide used for various infections; commonly combined in regimens.

Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim (Co-trimoxazole)

Combination that inhibits sequential steps in folic acid synthesis; used for UTIs, otitis media, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, etc.

Sulfamethizole

Sulfonamide used for UTIs.

Tetracyclines

Broad-spectrum antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis at the 30S ribosomal subunit.

Tetracycline

Broad-spectrum tetracycline; acne, Lyme disease, and other infections; avoid in pregnancy and young children.

Oxytetracycline

Tetracycline used for certain infections and ocular uses; systemic absorption varies.

Doxycycline

Broad-spectrum tetracycline; used for traveler’s diarrhea, acne, Scarlet fever precautions; calcium reduces absorption.

Minocycline

Tetracycline used for acne and other infections; high CNS penetration.

Macrolides

Protein synthesis inhibitors that bind 50S ribosomal subunit; often alternative for penicillin-allergic patients.

Erythromycin

Macrolide used for respiratory infections; potential GI upset and hepatotoxicity.

Azithromycin

Macrolide with broad respiratory and other infections; less GI disturbance than erythromycin.

Clarithromycin

Macrolide for respiratory, skin, sinus infections; longer half-life than erythromycin.

Dirithromycin

Macrolide used for upper/lower respiratory infections and pharyngitis/tonsillitis.

Lincosamides

Antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis; effective against many Gram-positive bacteria but with toxicity concerns.

Clindamycin

Lincosamide; bacteriostatic/bactericidal depending on organism; GI toxicity risk.

Lincomycin

Lincosamide similar to clindamycin in action and spectrum.

Aminoglycosides

Bactericidal antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis; effective against many Gram-negative organisms; require careful monitoring due to toxicity.

Fluoroquinolones

DNA gyrase/topoisomerase inhibitors; bactericidal; broad Gram-negative and some Gram-positive activity.

Ciprofloxacin

Fluoroquinolone; broad activity including Pseudomonas; often used for UTIs, respiratory and GI infections.

Norfloxacin

Fluoroquinolone; mainly for UTIs and prostatitis.

Levofloxacin

Fluoroquinolone; broad respiratory and urinary tract infection coverage.

Moxifloxacin

Fluoroquinolone; good for respiratory, skin, and some anaerobes; widely used in CAP.

TB drugs (RIPES)

Common TB drugs: Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, Ethionamide, Capreomycin, Cycloserine, Streptomycin, Rifapentine.

Rifampin

TB drug; inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase; causes red-orange discoloration of urine/sweat; induces many drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Isoniazid

TB drug; inhibits mycolic acid synthesis; peripheral neuritis risk; hepatotoxicity risk.

Pyrazinamide

TB drug; mechanism disrupts bacterial energy metabolism; hepatotoxicity monitoring needed.

Ethambutol

TB drug; inhibits cell wall synthesis; optic neuritis risk; monitor vision.

Ethionamide

TB drug; inhibits cell wall synthesis; GI and hepatic side effects; CNS symptoms possible.

Capreomycin

TB injectable agent with unique mechanism; nephro/neurotoxicity risk.

Cycloserine

TB drug; inhibits cell wall synthesis; neuropsychiatric side effects; caution in CNS disorders.

Streptomycin

Aminoglycoside used for TB; risk of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity; monitor levels.

Rifapentine

TB drug; long-acting rifamycin; used in TB regimens; interacts with many drugs.

Rifabutin

Rifamycin used forTB/HIV co-infection; induces liver enzymes; urine color changes possible.

Agents for Influenza A

Antiviral therapies for influenza A: amantadine, rimantadine (Adamantanes) and neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir, zanamivir; ribavirin used in some regimens.

Amantadine

Adamantane; prevents viral uncoating and entry; effective primarily against influenza A.

Rimantadine

Adamantane similar to amantadine; influenza A prophylaxis/tew treatment option.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Neuraminidase inhibitor; reduces viral replication and spread in influenza A/B.

Zanamivir (Relenza)

Neuraminidase inhibitor; inhaled formulation for influenza A/B.

Ribavirin

Antiviral with broad activity; used for some severe RSV/ viral infections; caution for teratogenicity.

Agents against Herpes and CMV

Antivirals that inhibit viral DNA replication: acyclovir, cidofovir, famciclovir, foscarnet, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir.

Acyclovir

Thymidine kinase inhibitor; inhibits HSV/VZV replication; IV/PO/topical; ensure proper dosing to avoid infiltration risk.

Cidofovir

Nucleoside analog; used for CMV retinitis; nephrotoxic; coadminister with probenecid in some cases.

Famciclovir

Penciclovir prodrug; active against herpes infections; better bioavailability.

Foscarnet

Inhibits viral DNA polymerase; potent but highly nephrotoxic.

Ganciclovir

CMV/HSV antiviral; IV or PO; marrow suppression risk; monitor CBC.

Valacyclovir

Prodrug of acyclovir with improved bioavailability; used for HSV infections.

Valganciclovir

Prodrug of ganciclovir; used for CMV; must monitor marrow suppression.

HIV/AIDS Drugs

Antiretroviral therapies including fusion inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and nucleoside/nucleotide analogs.

Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon)

Fusion inhibitor; prevents HIV entry by blocking gp41–cell membrane fusion.

Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (RTIs)

Block HIV reverse transcriptase, hindering replication; include NRTIs and NNRTIs.

Protease Inhibitors

Block HIV protease; prevent maturation of viral particles; often combined with ritonavir to boost levels.

Nucleoside/Nucleotide RTIs

Incorporate into viral DNA, terminate chain elongation; include zidovudine, lamivudine, tenofovir, abacavir, and others.

Abacavir

NRTI; HIV treatment; require HLA-B*57:01 testing due to hypersensitivity risk.

Zidovudine (AZT)

First approved NRTI; inhibits reverse transcription; marrow suppression monitored.

Lamivudine (3TC)

NRTI; commonly used in combination therapy; well tolerated.