Discover Antibiotics

Classification, Mechanism of Action, Side Effects, and Interactions of Common Antibiotics

• Penicillins, such as amoxicillin, are classified as β-Lactams and work by binding to and inhibiting the transpeptidase enzyme, which is responsible for the transfer of amino groups in peptides. This prevents the production of the bacterial cell wall.
• Side effects of penicillins include gastrointestinal upset, candidiasis (a fungal infection), non IgE-mediated rashes, and drug fever.
• Penicillins can interact with methotrexate, increasing the risk of toxicity.
• Tetracyclines, like doxycycline, are antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, which prevents the entry of amino acetyl tRNA complexes.
• Side effects of tetracyclines include gastrointestinal upset, staining of teeth, candidiasis, and photosensitivity.
• Tetracyclines can interact with alcohol, increasing the risk of hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
• Macrolides, such as clarithromycin, are antibiotics that also inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, preventing the translocation of the next amino acid onto the nascent peptide chain.
• Side effects of macrolides include gastrointestinal upset and the potential to act as a hepatic enzyme inhibitor, which can potentiate the effects of other drugs.
• Macrolides can interact with warfarin and digoxin, reducing their metabolism and potentially leading to increased levels of these drugs in the body.
• Clindamycin is an antibiotic that also inhibits protein synthesis. It acts on a different subunit of the bacterial ribosome.
• The text does not provide specific side effects or interactions for clindamycin.
• Overall, these antibiotics have different mechanisms of action and can cause various side effects and drug interactions, highlighting the importance of understanding their classification and characteristics.