Cell wall synthesis inhibitors
B-lactam antibiotics, vancomycin, daptomycin, bacitracin & fosfomycin
Protein synthesis inhibitors
tetracyclines, glycylcyclines, aminoglycosides, macrolides, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, streptogramins & linezolid
Drugs that affect nucleic acid synthesis
fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides & trimethoprim
Miscellaneous and urinary antiseptics
metronidazole & nitrofurantoin
Penicillins
• Inactive against organisms without peptidoglycan cell wall eg, mycoplasma, protozoa, fungi, viruses
Autolysin production
• Produced by bacteria and mediate cell lysis
• Penicillins activate autolysins to initiate cell death
• Bacteria eventually lyse due to activity of autolysins and inhibition of cell-wall assembly
Ability to ‘reach’ PBPs determined by:
• size
• charge
• hydrophobicity
Penicillin G
• Benzylpenicillin
Active against:
• Most Gram-positive cocci (NOT Staph)
• Gram-positive rods (eg, Listeria, C.perfringens)
• Gram-negative cocci (eg, Neisseria sp)
• Most anaerobes (NOT bacteroides)
• Susceptible to inactivation by B-lactamases
Drug of choice for:
• Syphilis (benzathine penicillin G)
• Strep infections (especially in prevention of rheumatic fever)
• Susceptible pneumococci
Repository penicillins
• Developed to prolong duration of penicillin G
Penicillin G procaine
• IM not IV (risk of procaine toxicity)
• t1/2 = 12-24h
• Seldom used (increased resistance)
Penicillin G benzathine
• IM
• t1/2 = 3-4 weeks
• DOC for syphilis, rheumatic fever
Penicillin V
Drug of choice for:
• Strep throat
• Employed mostly orally for mild-moderate infections eg, pharyngitis, tonsilitis, skin infections (caused by Strep)
Antistaphylococcal penicillins
Extended spectrum
• Ampicillin is used in combination with aminoglycoside to treat Enterococci and Listeria infections
Antipseudomonal penicllins
Penicillin + aminoglycosides
Penicillin PK
Oral absorption
• Absorption impaired by food (except amoxicillin -> high oral bioavailability)
• Nafcillin = erratic (not suitable for oral admin.)
Distribution
• All achieve therapeutic levels in pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, synovial fluids & urine
• Nafcillin, ampicillin & piperacillin achieve high levels in bile
• Levels in prostate & eye = insufficient
• CSF penetration = poor (except in meningitis)
Excretion
• Most excreted primarily via kidney (beware in kidney failure)
• Nafcillin = exception as primarily excreted in bile
• Oxacillin & dicloxacillin = renal & biliary excretion
Penicillin SEs
Hypersensitivity
• Penicilloic acid = major antigenic determinant
• ~ 5 % patients claim to have some reaction
(maculopapular rash -> anaphylaxis)
• Cross-allergic reactions between B-lactam antibiotics can occur
B-lactamase inhibitors
Cephalosporins
• All cephalosporins are considered inactive against Enterococci, Listeria, Legionella, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Acinetobacter species.
Cephalosporins first generation
Cephalosporins second generation
Cephalosporins third generation
Ceftriaxone
Cefaperazone, Ceftazidime
* Activity against P.aeruginosa
Cephalosoprins fourth generation
• Treatment of infections with susceptible organisms eg, UTI’s, complicated intra-abdominal infections, febrile neutropenia
Cephalosporins fifth generation
• Considering its spectrum of activity, including MRSA, ceftaroline is useful in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infection due to this pathogen, particularly if gram-negative pathogens are coinfecting.
Cephalosporlins PK