AMOXICILLIN

Question 1

Drug class

Answer 1

penicillin

Question 2

How does it work? (5)

Answer 2

• inhibit the enzymes involved in cross-linking peptidoglycans in bacterial cell walls
• this weakens the cells walls
• prevents the bacteria from being able to maintain an osmotic gradient
• the bacterial cell dies from osmotic lysis and cell swelling

Question 3

What does penicillin contain which is responsible for their antimicrobial activity?

Answer 3

beta lactam

Question 4

What does the addition of clavulanic acid to amoxicillin (co-amoxiclav) do to the microbial activity of amoxicillin? (2)

Answer 4

• increases the spectrum of antimicrobial activity
• now includes betal lactamase producing bacteria
  e. g. s.aureus, gram negative anaerobes

Question 5

Indications (5)

Answer 5

1. Lungs
   - pneumonia
2. Urine
   - UTIS
3. GI
   - h.pylori associated peptic ulcers
4. Sepsis
   - intra-abdominal
5. others
   - hospital acquired infection

Question 6

Contra-indications (3)

Answer 6

1. people at risk of c-difficile infection
2. penicillin allergy
3. severe renal impairment
   - crystalluria

Question 7

Side effects (3)

Answer 7

1. GI upset

• nausea
• diarrhoea
• antibiotic associated colitis - c.diff

2. Skin
   - allergy - rash
   - cholestatic jaundice
3. Anaphylactic reaction

• hypotension
• bronchospasm
• angioedema

Question 8

Interactions (2)

Answer 8

1. warfarin

2. methotrexate

Question 9

Elimination

Answer 9

urine