Mechanism of action: Penicillin and derivatives are taken in a broad class of antibiotics known as Beta-lactam antibiotics; they work by inhibiting the synthesis and development of the bacterial cell wall.
Drawbacks: Although penicillin is still used in many countries due to it’s affordability and spectrum of activity, the on-going emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance limits their use in many scenarios. In addition, there are many individuals who develop allergic reactions to penicillin compared to new and safer antibiotics. I already discussed penicillin and it's use in medicine in details and if you would like to read more about it you can follow the link below; Use of penicillin and it's derivatives in clinical medicine.
Mechanism of action: These drugs produce their effects by interfering with the DNA replication process and we shall therefore collectively term them; DNA synthesis inhibitors or in other wards, antimetabolites. I made a detailed discussion on the pharmacology of this class of drugs and you can read more about the from the link below; Fluroquinolones and their use in clinical medicine.
Mechanism of action: These drugs act by inhibiting the process of protein synthesis in the bacterial cell.
Drawbacks: Because of their spectrum of activity which is broad, irrational use of these drugs can read to clearance of part of the human microbiome, something that can lead to opportunistic infection and super infections or even rendering other antibiotics ineffective.
Their use is known to cause development of pseudomembranous colitis by Clostridium deficile and some fungal manifestations for that purpose. They are also discouraged from usage in young children due to their teeth discoloration effects and may lead to borne development problems.
5. VANCOMYCIN: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that is used to treat serious bacterial infections, including sepsis and endocarditis. Although it’s self is not a beta lactam antibiotic like penicillin and cephalosporines, it shares the mechanism of action with them; Inhibits the synthesis and development of the bacterial cell wall.
Mechanism of action: Metronidazole when used against protozoa, is DNA synthesis inhibitor and therefore we can say; it is an antimetabolite. In bacteria it acts as a proton sink, depriving the bacteria cell of oxidative equivalents
Drawbacks: Metronidazole have several side effects including but not limited to; Nausea and vomiting, a metallic taste, and it also has a disulfiram-like effect when taken together with alcohol. I discussed about Metronidazole alone and it's use in details you can read about it from here; Use of metronidazole in clinical medicine.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, is one of such combination antibiotic that is often used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal infections. This combination has been used widely in immunocompromised and HIV/AIDS patients for prophylactic prevention of opportunistic infections especially related to protozoa.
The other common application of such combinations is the use of a combination of Pyrimethamine and salfadoxine in brand names like "Fansidar", one of the current malarial prophylaxis therapy in pregnant mothers. I have recently discussed more about sulfonamides and you can read about them from the link below; Sulfonamides and their use in clinical medicine
In our next discussion, I will be looking at the rest of the antibiotic classes I have not discussed briefly here including but not limited to; Cephalosporines such as Ceftrioxone, Carbapems such as Imepenem, Rifamycins such as Rifampicin and Rifampin and many others. You can also feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel where I discuss some of these pharmacotherapy from the link below; Mega Mover Empire on YouTube.
RELATED;
1. PNEUMONIA
2. ANTIMICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
3. THE ORIGIN OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN THE HUMAN BODY
4. PHARMACOLOGY OF PENICILLIN AND IT'S DERIVATIVES
5. FLOROQUINOLONES AND THEIR USE IN CLINICAL MEDICINE
7. USE OF AZITHROMYCIN IN CLINICAL MEDICINE
