Antimicrobial+drug unit 11

Antimicrobial Drugs

Drugs used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths.

Beta lactams

A class of antibiotics that includes penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems, which inhibit cell-wall biosynthesis.

Tetracycline

An antibiotic that inhibits protein synthesis by acting on prokaryotic ribosomes, with side effects including phototoxicity and discoloration of teeth.

Macrolides

A class of antibiotics that includes erythromycin, used to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis.

Fluoroquinolones

Antibiotics that inhibit DNA synthesis, including ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid.

Sulfonamides

A group of antimicrobial drugs that inhibit folic acid synthesis, including sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim.

Ergosterol synthesis inhibitors

Antifungal agents that prevent the synthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes, including miconazole and fluconazole.

Caspofungin

An antifungal drug that inhibits the synthesis of fungal cell walls by targeting chitin.

Nucleoside analogs

Drugs that inhibit nucleic acid biosynthesis and are used as antiviral agents, such as acyclovir and ribavirin.

Neuraminidase inhibitors

Antiviral medications that prevent the release of virus particles from infected cells, including Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir).

Reverse transcriptase inhibitors

A class of HIV drugs that inhibit the enzyme reverse transcriptase, crucial for the viral life cycle, such as AZT (azidothymidine).