What is the primary route of administration for Amphotericin B?
IV only for systemic infections
Amphotericin B has minimal oral absorption and poor CNS penetration.
What are the common adverse effects of Amphotericin B?
Infusion reactions, anemia
Hydration can help prevent nephrotoxicity.
What is the mechanism of action of Itraconazole?
CYP3A4 inhibitor
It is used to treat systemic mycoses like histoplasmosis and blastomycosis.
What are the contraindications for Itraconazole?
Avoid in heart failure; monitor LFTs
It interacts with statins, benzodiazepines, and warfarin.
What are the primary uses for Caspofungin?
Invasive aspergillosis, candidemia, Candida peritonitis
Adverse effects include histamine-mediated infusion reactions.
What is the primary treatment indication for Griseofulvin?
Dermatophyte infections
It is not effective for Candida or systemic mycoses.
What is the first-line treatment for onychomycosis?
Oral Terbinafine
It can also be used for tinea corporis/cruris/pedis.
What is the mechanism of action of Acyclovir?
Guanosine analog
It is used to treat HSV-1/2 and VZV.
What is the recommended timing for starting Oseltamivir?
Start <48h
It is a neuraminidase inhibitor used for influenza A & B.
What is the primary purpose of the influenza vaccine?
Addresses antigenic drift, reduces infection severity
Recommended for individuals ≥6 months.
What are NRTIs used for?
HIV (backbone of ART regimens)
Key agents include Abacavir, Tenofovir, Zidovudine, Lamivudine, and Emtricitabine.
What are the major side effects associated with Protease Inhibitors?
Metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, lipodystrophy
Atazanavir can cause indirect hyperbilirubinemia.
What is the mechanism of action of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs)?
Block integrase strand transfer
They prevent integration of viral DNA into the host genome.
What is the treatment indication for Maraviroc?
HIV (CCR5-tropic virus only)
It blocks CCR5 co-receptor to prevent viral entry.
What is the primary use of Albendazole?
Broad-spectrum helminths
It is effective against nematodes and some cestodes.
What is the mechanism of action of Mebendazole?
Disrupts microtubules and glucose uptake
It is used for intestinal nematodes.
What is the treatment protocol for Enterobiasis?
Single dose with repeat in 2 weeks
Options include Albendazole or Mebendazole.
What is the purpose of culture & sensitivity testing?
Guides therapy; determines drug susceptibility
MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) helps in drug selection.
What is the mechanism of action of Penicillins?
Bind PBPs; inhibit transpeptidase crosslinking
This leads to bacterial cell wall lysis.
What are the main indications for Cephalosporins?
Skin, respiratory, UTI, meningitis
They are also used for surgical prophylaxis.
What is the mechanism of action of Vancomycin?
Binds molecules for cell wall biosynthesis
It is indicated for MRSA and C. difficile.
What are the contraindications for Tetracyclines?
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 8
They can cause fetal tooth/bone toxicity.
What is the adverse effect associated with Clindamycin?
Risk of C. difficile colitis
Patients should report severe diarrhea.
What is the mechanism of action of Aminoglycosides?
Bind 30S subunit; misreading of mRNA
This leads to defective proteins and is bactericidal.