Pharmacology Week 1: Antifungal Medications

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that disrupt bacterial protein synthesis, leading to bacterial death.

Aminoglycosides are often used in combination with other antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, to enhance their effectiveness against bacteria.

Aminoglycosides can cause serious side effects such as ototoxicity (damage to the ears), nephrotoxicity (damage to the kidneys), and neurotoxicity (damage to the nervous system).

Prevents HIV from integrating into the host's DNA, stopping the virus from replicating.

Aminoglycosides are effective against a wide range of bacteria, but their use is limited by their potential for toxicity. They are frequently used in combination with other antibiotics.

The development of resistance to aminoglycosides results from the production of enzymes in bacteria that can inactivate the drug.

Inhibition of HIV replication by suppressing synthesis of viral DNA.

Prevents the formation of cytoplasmic microtubules, disrupting glucose uptake in parasitic worms.

Prevents HIV maturation by blocking the HIV enzyme protease.

The drug of choice for most intestinal worms, preventing uptake of glucose by susceptible intestinal worms, which results in slow death.

Block entry of HIV into CD4 T-cells.

The annual flu vaccine provides protection against influenza. Different vaccines are available based on age and health status.

The purpose of determining drug susceptibility is to identify the most effective antibiotic for a specific microbial infection.

Penicillin V is stable in stomach acid, making it suitable for oral administration. Penicillin G, on the other hand, is not stable in stomach acid and is given intravenously or intramuscularly.

Penicillin weakens the bacterial cell wall, causing it to take up too much water and burst. This is why penicillins are considered bactericidal, meaning they kill bacteria.

Cephalosporins are bactericidal drugs that target penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in bacterial cell walls, disrupting cell wall synthesis and activating autolysins. This damage leads to cell death.

Vancomycin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to molecules essential for cell wall construction. This disruption leads to bacterial lysis and death.

Carbapenems are a class of antibiotics that bind to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), weakening the bacterial cell wall and causing cell lysis and death. They are effective against a wide spectrum of bacteria.

Vancomycin can cause renal impairment, so monitoring trough levels is crucial. Avoid using vancomycin with other nephrotoxic drugs.

The inappropriate use of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance by giving bacteria the opportunity to develop mechanisms that allow them to survive antibiotic exposure.

Prophylactic antibiotics are used to prevent infections in specific situations, such as surgery, bacterial endocarditis, or recurrent UTIs.

Amphotericin B is a medication used to treat severe fungal infections. However, it's absorbed poorly through the digestive system, making oral administration ineffective for systemic infections. This means it has to be given intravenously.

Itraconazole is an antifungal medication that inhibits the CYP3A4 enzyme. This leads to an increase in the levels of other drugs that are metabolized by the same enzyme, potentially causing interactions and side effects.

Caspofungin is a drug that targets fungal cell walls. It's particularly effective against infections caused by Aspergillus and Candida.

Griseofulvin is a medication mainly used for skin, hair, and nail infections caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus.

Oral Terbinafine is used to treat fungal infections of the skin (ringworm) and nails (onychomycosis).

Azole antifungal drugs increase the levels of warfarin, phenytoin, and oral hypoglycemic agents in older adults. This is particularly important to consider due to their higher risk of achlorhydria (low stomach acid), affecting drug absorption.

Acyclovir, an antiviral medication, inhibits the replication of viral DNA. This makes it useful for treating infections caused by herpes viruses, including herpes simplex and varicella zoster.

Osteltamivir (Tamiflu) is an antiviral drug that works by inhibiting neuraminidase, an enzyme crucial for the spread of influenza viruses. It is used for both prevention and treatment of influenza in individuals over one year old.

Drugs that block the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, used to treat conditions like overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome.

Anticholinergics can be used to treat overactive bladder (OAB), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other conditions where smooth muscle spasms occur.

When prescribing anticholinergics, consider factors such as the patient's age, renal function, and potential drug interactions. Also, consider the risk of side effects.

Darifenacin exhibits a high degree of selectivity for M3 muscarinic receptors, which helps minimize side effects.

Common side effects of Oxybutynin include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and urinary retention.

Strategies to reduce anticholinergic side effects include selecting medications with higher M3 selectivity, using lower doses, and adjusting dosages based on patient response.

Solifenacin carries a risk of QT prolongation, which can lead to dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor patients closely for QT prolongation.

Common side effects of Solifenacin include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and urinary retention. These are similar to the effects of other anticholinergics.

A type of hormone therapy (HT) used to manage menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

A group of synthetic hormones that mimic the effects of progesterone, a female sex hormone.

Conditions that make a certain treatment or medication unsafe for a patient.

A drug that blocks the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction and other bodily functions.

A condition characterized by urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence, often due to involuntary bladder muscle contractions.

A drug that stimulates the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that contracts muscles in the bladder, improving bladder emptying.

A drug that inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone important for prostate growth.

A group of drugs that block α1-adrenergic receptors, which are responsible for muscle contractions in the prostate and bladder, leading to relaxation of these structures.

A group of drugs that work by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), which breaks down cGMP, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels in the penis.

A PDE-5 inhibitor commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

A condition characterized by inflammation and infection of the pelvic organs, typically affecting the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus.

An infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, commonly transmitted through sexual contact.

A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, characterized by sores, rashes, and potential long-term complications.

A chronic infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), characterized by painful sores, itching, and potentially recurrent outbreaks.

A condition characterized by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, leading to vaginal discharge, odor, and irritation.

A sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, often asymptomatic but can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if untreated.