Antibiotic classes, mechanism, spectrum of coverage, and one signature side effect per class.
41 cards · mixed cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the mechanism of action of penicillins?
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Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins and cross-linking peptidoglycan- Penicillin G gram-positive and gram-negative coverage
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Gram-positive cocci and rods; narrow gram-negative coverage (mainly Neisseria)- Most common allergic reaction to penicillins
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IgE-mediated hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis, rash, urticaria)- Ampicillin gram-negative spectrum compared to penicillin G
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Better gram-negative coverage (includes E. coli, Proteus, Haemophilus), but still susceptible to beta-lactamase- What does clavulanic acid do when combined with amoxicillin?
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Irreversibly inhibits beta-lactamase, protecting amoxicillin from degradation- Cephalosporin mechanism of action
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Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis like penicillins; beta-lactam ring binds penicillin-binding proteins- First-generation cephalosporin spectrum (e.g., cephalexin)
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Good gram-positive (including Staphylococcus aureus), limited gram-negative, no anaerobes- Third-generation cephalosporin spectrum (e.g., ceftriaxone)
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Improved gram-negative (including Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseria, Haemophilus), reduced gram-positive vs first-gen- Cephalosporin cross-reactivity with penicillin allergy
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Low cross-reactivity (~1-2%) with modern cephalosporins; safe in most penicillin-allergic patients- Carbapenem spectrum (e.g., meropenem, ertapenem)
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Broad spectrum: gram-positive, gram-negative, anaerobes; resistant to most beta-lactamases- Aminoglycoside mechanism of action
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Inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit and causing misreading of mRNA- Aminoglycoside spectrum coverage
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Gram-negative aerobes (e.g., Pseudomonas, E. coli, Klebsiella); poor activity against anaerobes and against gram-positive organisms when used alone (though useful in synergistic combination with cell wall-active agents against some gram-positive organisms like Enterococcus or Staphylococcus).- Dose-dependent nephrotoxicity caused by which antibiotic?
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Aminoglycosides; risk increases with prolonged use, baseline renal impairment, and concurrent nephrotoxic drugs- Aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity affects which cranial nerve?
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Cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear); causes irreversible hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction- Tetracycline mechanism of action
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Inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit and blocking aminoacyl-tRNA entry
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