Complete Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and Antiviral Drug Study Guide

Penicillin

Inhibits cell wall synthesis by blocking transpeptidation of peptidoglycan

Cephalosporins

Inhibit cell wall synthesis; beta-lactam related to penicillin

Carbapenems

Inhibit cell wall synthesis

Vancomycin

Inhibits cell wall synthesis by blocking transpeptidation

Aminoglycosides

Bind 30S ribosomal subunit and disrupt protein synthesis/mRNA reading

Tetracyclines

Bind 30S ribosomal subunit and block aminoacyl-tRNA binding

Macrolides

Bind 50S ribosomal subunit and block protein synthesis/translocation

Lincosamides

Bind 50S ribosomal subunit

Oxazolidinones

Bind 50S/23S rRNA and prevent 70S initiation complex formation

Chloramphenicol

Bind 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis

Sulfonamides / sulfa drugs

Metabolic antagonist; PABA analog inhibits dihydropteroate synthase in folic acid synthesis

Trimethoprim

Metabolic antagonist; inhibits dihydrofolate reductase in folic acid synthesis

Fluoroquinolones

Inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV

Rifamycins

Inhibit transcription by binding bacterial RNA polymerase beta-subunit

Tamiflu (oseltamivir)

Neuraminidase inhibitor

Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil)

Blocks viral transcription

Acyclovir and vidarabine

Nucleoside analogs; chain termination of viral DNA replication

HAART

Combination drug therapy targeting multiple HIV life-cycle steps

PrEP

Two NRTIs taken before exposure

Ribavirin

Antiviral nucleoside analog

Epclusa and Harvoni

Sofosbuvir-based combinations inhibit viral RNA polymerase NS5B

Nystatin

Binds ergosterol and creates membrane pores

Miconazole

Inhibits ergosterol synthesis

Amphotericin B

Binds ergosterol and forms membrane pores

5-flucytosine

Inhibits nucleic acid synthesis

Fluconazole

Inhibits ergosterol synthesis

Echinocandins

Inhibit fungal cell wall beta-glucan synthesis

Chloroquine

Interferes with heme metabolism in Plasmodium

Metronidazole

Activated in anaerobic cells and damages DNA

Tetracycline

black/discolored teeth; avoid pregnancy/children under 8

Macrolide

Z-pack; penicillin-allergy alternative

Clindamycin/lincosamides

C. difficile risk

Linezolid/oxazolidinones

MRSA and VRE

Bactrim

sulfa + trimethoprim synergism

Ciprofloxacin/fluoroquinolone

tendon rupture

Rifampin

red/orange urine and TB

Tamiflu

neuraminidase inhibitor

Acyclovir

herpesvirus thymidine kinase and DNA chain termination

Nystatin/Amphotericin B

ergosterol pores

Azoles

block ergosterol synthesis