Antimicrobial Drugs Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for antimicrobial drugs, their mechanisms, and uses.

Penicillin

Inhibits cell wall synthesis, natural, -cidal, narrow spectrum, effective mainly against Gram-positive bacteria.

Cephalosporin

Inhibits cell wall synthesis, semisynthetic, -cidal, broad spectrum, four generations with varying spectrums.

Carbapenem

Inhibits cell wall synthesis, semisynthetic, -cidal, broad spectrum, used for resistant Gram-negative infections.

Vancomycin

Inhibits cell wall synthesis, natural, -cidal, narrow spectrum, used against MRSA, not absorbed orally.

Aminoglycosides

Inhibits protein synthesis (30S), natural/semisynthetic, -cidal, broad spectrum, nephrotoxic and ototoxic, used for serious infections.

Tetracycline

Inhibits protein synthesis (30S), natural, -static, broad spectrum, causes teeth discoloration in children.

Macrolides

Inhibits protein synthesis (50S), natural, -static, broad spectrum, alternative to penicillin for allergic patients.

Lincosamides

Inhibits protein synthesis (50S), semisynthetic, -static, narrow spectrum, Clindamycin is most common; risk of C. diff.

Chloramphenicol

Inhibits protein synthesis (50S), natural, -static, broad spectrum, rarely used due to toxicity.

Oxazolidinones

Inhibits protein synthesis (50S), synthetic, -static, narrow spectrum, used for resistant Gram-positive infections like MRSA.

Sulfonamides

Inhibits folic acid synthesis, synthetic, -static, broad spectrum, often combined with trimethoprim.

Trimethoprim

Inhibits folic acid synthesis, synthetic, -static, broad spectrum, combined with sulfonamides (Bactrim).

Fluoroquinolones

Inhibits DNA gyrase, synthetic, -cidal, broad spectrum, good for UTIs and respiratory infections.

Rifamycin

Inhibits RNA synthesis, natural, -cidal, broad spectrum, used for tuberculosis treatment.

Tamiflu

Antiviral, used for Influenza, Neuraminidase inhibitor, effective if taken within 48 hours of symptoms.

Xofluza

Antiviral, used for Influenza, Inhibits cap-dependent endonuclease, single dose treatment; newer than Tamiflu

Acyclovir

Antiviral, used for Herpes simplex virus (HSV), inhibits viral DNA polymerase, commonly used for HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV.

Vidarabine

Antiviral, used for Herpes simplex virus (HSV), inhibits viral DNA synthesis, less used today; more toxic than acyclovir.

HAART

Antiviral, used for HIV/AIDS, combination therapy targeting reverse transcriptase, protease, integrase, highly active regimen slows progression of HIV.

PrEP

Antiviral, used for HIV prevention, blocks HIV entry via reverse transcriptase inhibitors, taken daily; used for high-risk individuals.

Ribavirin

Antiviral, used for Hepatitis C, RSV, inhibits viral RNA synthesis, used in combination therapy for Hepatitis C.

Epclusa

Antiviral, used for Hepatitis C, inhibits NS5A and NS5B viral proteins, direct-acting antiviral; well-tolerated.

Nystatin

Antifungal, used for candidiasis, binds to ergosterol and disrupts fungal membranes, topical use only; not absorbed systemically.

Amphotericin B

Antifungal, used for systemic fungal infections, binds to ergosterol forming membrane pores, can be nephrotoxic; used in severe infections.

5-flucytosine

Antifungal, used for cryptococcal meningitis, inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis in fungi, often combined with amphotericin B.

Echinocandins

Antifungal, used for aspergillosis, candidiasis, inhibits synthesis of β-glucan in cell wall, used for resistant fungal infections.

Chloroquine

Antiprotozoal, used for malaria, prevents heme detoxification in parasite, widespread resistance limits use.

Dapsone

Antiprotozoal, used for leprosy, inhibits folic acid synthesis in protozoa, also used as anti-inflammatory in some cases.