Pharmacology

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action of beta-lactam antimicrobials and what are the prototype drugs?

Answer 1

Beta-lactam antimicrobials act by binding to penicillin-binding proteins to inhibit transpeptidation (the cross0linking in bacterial cell wall synthesis). This leads to the activation of auto lytic enzymes in the bacterial cell wall and subsequent bactericidal killing. The prototype beta-lactam antimicrobials are amoxicillin and penicillin.

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action of fluoroquinolones and what are the the prototype drugs?

Answer 2

Fluoroquinolones are an important class of wide-spectrum antibacterial agents that inhibit DNA synthesis by targeting two essential type II topoisomerases, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. The prototype fluoroquinolones include ciproflaxacin and levoflaxacin.

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action of macrolides and what are the prototype drugs?

Answer 3

Macrolides are a class of drugs used to manage and treat various bacterial infections by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. The mechanism of action of macrolides revolves around their ability to bind to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit which leads to the cessation of bacterial protein synthesis. The prototype macrolide drugs are azithromyozin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin.