Module 3 Flashcards
Antimicrobials
Beta-lactam antibiotics MOA
Interfere with cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBP), transpeptidase enzymes that catalyze peptidoglycan cross-linking. This compromises the overall cell wall integrity leading to osmotic lysis making beta-lactams bactericidal.
Penicillin structure
consists of a thiazolidine ring, a side chain, and a beta-lactam ring which is essential for antibiotic activity
Natural penicillins
penicillin G and penicillin V
Semisynthetic penicillins (aminopenicillins/extended-spectrum penicillins)
ampicillin and amoxicillin
Antistaphylococcal penicillins
developed to resist hydrolysis by staphylococcal beta-lactamases and include methicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, and dicloxacillin
Ureidopenicillin/Antipseudomonal penicillin
piperacillin
beta-lactamase inhibitors
enhance the ability of beta-lactams to fight bacteria by inhibiting an enzyme produced by the bacteria which deactivates beta-lactams like penicillin, include sulbactam, clavulanate, and tazobactam (do not work against all beta-lactamases)
beta-lactam and beta-lactamase inhibitor combos available
ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn - IV), amoxicillin/clavulonate (Augmentin - PO), and piperacillin/tazobactam (Zosyn - IV)
penicillin G,V antibacterial spectrum
gram-positive streptococcus pneumoniae, group A strep, group B strep, group C,G strep, and Viridans streptococci (seen with IVDU) and gram-negative cocci including Neisseria meningitidis. Anaerobes including peptostreptococcus, prevatella spp., fusobacterium spp., clostridium spp., spirochetes including treponema pallidum and borrelia burgdorferi, and other organisms including Pasteurella multocida (cat bites). No staph coverage.
Penicillin administration
penicillin G has poor oral bioavailability, requires frequent IV dosing due to short half-life (0.5 hours), and requires dose and interval adjustment for renal insufficiency. Penicillin G IM formulations are available (procaine and benzathine penicillin). Penicillin V has better oral bioavailability.
Antistaphylococcal penicillins antibacterial spectrum
active against gram-positive cocci covered by pen G as well as S. aureus and S. epidermidis, no gram-negative coverage
Antistaphylococcal penicillin administration
short half-lives, nafcillin and oxacillin require frequent IV/IM dosing whereas dicloxacillin is administered PO, no dose adjustment is required for renal and hepatic impairment for dicloxacillin and oxacillin but caution should be taken with nafcillin in patients with concomitant renal and hepatic impairment
Semisynthetic penicillins (ampicillin and amoxicillin) antibacterial spectrum
similar gram-positive activity to pen G but slightly less active against group A strep, group B strep, and S. pneumoniae. Ampicillin is more active against Listeria monocytogenes (cause of meningitis in immunocompromised patients, newborns, and elderly) and 2X more active against enterococci than penicillin. Has some activity against gram-negative H. influenzae and E. coli (40% ampicillin resistance due to beta-lactamases). Not useful for S. aureus infections.
Ampicillin administration
requires frequent IV dosing (q 4-6 hours) due to short half-life and dose adjustment with renal insufficiency, has fair oral bioavailability
Amoxicillin administration
has better oral availability than ampicillin but can be administered by IV (1-2 g q 6 hours), most active of the penicillins against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae
How does combining beta-lactamase inhibitors with ampicillin and amoxicillin increase their spectrum of activity? (Unasyn and Augmentin)
Increases activity against gram-positive methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), gram-negative H. influenzae producing beta-lactamase, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and K. oxytoca, and Anaerobic Bacteroides fragilis.
Piperacillin-Tazobactam (Zosyn) antibacterial spectrum
has similar gram-positive activity to ampicillin and excellent streptococcal coverage as well as expanded gram-negative activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (associated with diabetic would infections), Serratia marcescens, and Enterobacter spp. Excellent anaerobic activity against B. fragilis. Useful for nosocomial pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, and complicated wound infections. No MRSA coverage.
Piperacillin-Tazobactam (Zosyn) administration
Requires frequent IV dosing (no oral) due to short half-life (1 hour) and is usually 4.5 g IV q 6 hours for Pseudomonas but q 8 hours for non-Pseudomonas. Requires dose and interval adjustment for renal insufficiency.
narrow-spectrum, beta-lactamase susceptible drugs (natural penicillins) general antibacterial activity
active against strep, enterococci, anaerobes (except B. fragilis), and spirochetes (most staph aureus resistant)
Why is methicillin not used clinically anymore in the United States?
it has the potential to cause acute interstitial nephritis
very narrow-spectrum, beta-lactamase resistant drugs (Antistaphylococcal penicillins) general antibacterial activity
active against S. aureus (MSSA), S. epidermidis, and strep
wider spectrum, beta-lactamase susceptible drugs (semisynthetic penicillins) general antibacterial activity
active against strep, enterococci, Listeria monocytogenes, beta-lactamase negative E. coli, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis (staph aureus is resistant)
broad-spectrum, anti-gram-negative, beta-lactamase susceptible drugs (antipseudomonal) antibacterial activity
retains the activity of ampicillin and is also active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (staph aureus is resistant)
What is the main structural difference between penicillins and cephalosporins?
Cephalosporins contain R1 and R2 side chain substitutions which alter their antibacterial spectrum and pharmacokinetics making them resistant to hydrolysis by many penicillinases (beta-lactamases)