Antibiotic pharmacology

Question 1

Classes of ABs which are ‘nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors’

Answer 1

Sulphonamides, trimethoprim, quinolones, nitroinidazoles

Question 2

Classes of ABs which are ‘cell wall synthesis inhibitors’

Answer 2

Penicillins, cephalosporins, vancomycin

Question 3

Classes of ABs which are ‘protein synthesis inhibitors’

Answer 3

Aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides and chloramphenicol’

Question 4

Mechanisms of action for sulphonamides

Answer 4

Inhibit dihydropteroate synthetase, which produces folic acid

Question 5

Mechanism of action for Trimethoprim

Answer 5

Acts to inhibit dihydrofolate reductase, which is part of the pathway for folic acid production

Question 6

Mechanism of action for quinolones

Answer 6

Prevents the super-coiling of bacterial DNA necessary for normal functioning of bacterial cell

Question 7

Mechanism of action for nitroimidazoles

Answer 7

During reduction of cellular products metabolites are produced which disrupts DNA synthesis

Question 8

Mechanism of action for penicillins and cephalosporins

Answer 8

Inhibit cross linkage of linear peptidoglycan polymer chains that make up the cell wall

Question 9

Mechanism of bacterial resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins

Answer 9

Production of beta-lactamases or penicillinases by bacteria

Question 10

Mechanism of overcoming beta-lactam resistance

Answer 10

Add clavulanic acid to amoxicillin. (Co-Amoxiclav)

Question 11

Antibiotic which is penicillinase resistant

Answer 11

Flucloxicillin

Question 12

Mechanism of action for vancomycin

Answer 12

Inhibits peptidoglycan formation.

Question 13

Mechanism of selective toxicity in protein synthesis inhibitors

Answer 13

Bacterial and Mammalian ribosomes are different

Question 14

Mechanism of action for tetracyclines and aminoglycosides

Answer 14

Inhibit aminoacyl-tRNA at the 30s subunit

Question 15

Mechanism of action for chloramphenicol

Answer 15

Inhibits peptidyl transferase activity

Question 16

Mechanism of action for macrolides

Answer 16

Binds to 50s and inhibits translocation

Question 17

Example of sulphonamides

Answer 17

Sulfamethoxazole

Question 18

Trimethoprim combined with sulfamethoxazole

Answer 18

Co-Trimoxazole

Question 19

Example of quinolones

Answer 19

Ciprofloxacin

Question 20

Example of nitroinidazoles

Answer 20

Metronidazole

Question 21

Example of a nucleic acid synthesis inhibitor used in the treatment of TB

Answer 21

Rifampicin

Question 22

Example of penicillins (5)

Answer 22

Benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, piperacillin, flucloxacillin

Question 23

Example of broad spectrum penicillin

Answer 23

Amoxicillin, ampicillin

Question 24

Example of penicillinase resistant penicillin

Answer 24

Flucloxacillin

Question 25

Example of antipseudomonal penicillins

Answer 25

Piperacillin

Question 26

Examples of cephalosporins (3)

Answer 26

Cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone

Question 27

Drug used to treat MRSA

Answer 27

Vancomycin

Question 28

Examples of aminoglycosides (2)

Answer 28

Gentamicin, tobramycin

Question 29

Example of tetracyclines

Answer 29

Doxycycline

Question 30

Examples of macrolides (2)

Answer 30

Clarythromycin, erythromycin

Question 31

Protein synthesis inhibitor used topically for eye infections

Answer 31

Chloramphenicol

Question 32

Novel drug used in MRSA and VRSA

Answer 32

Linezolid

Question 33

Mild/Mod CAP

Answer 33

Amoxicillin (Doxycycline in pen allergic)

Question 34

Severe CAP

Answer 34

Co-Amoxiclav + Clarithromycin or Doxycycline

Question 35

Severe HA Pneumonia

Answer 35

Amoxicillin + Metronizadole + Gentamicin

Question 36

Non severe HA Pneumonia

Answer 36

Amoxicillin + Metronizadole

Question 37

Acute Endocarditis

Answer 37

Flucloxicillin + Gentamicin

Question 38

Sub-Acute Endocarditis

Answer 38

Benzylpenicillin + Gentamicin

Question 39

Suspected MRSA/Prosthetic

Answer 39

Vancomycin + Rifampicin + Gentamicin

Question 40

TB

Answer 40

Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide