Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic drug classes with mechanism and one signature toxicity per card.
44 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the mechanism of action of penicillins and other beta-lactams?
- They bind penicillin-binding proteins and inhibit transpeptidase cross-linking of peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall.
- Penicillin's classic hypersensitivity reaction is ____.
- IgE-mediated anaphylaxis
- Why do some penicillin-allergic patients also react to cephalosporins?
- Cephalosporins share the same beta-lactam ring structure, causing partial cross-reactivity.
- What is the mechanism of action of vancomycin?
- It binds the D-ala-D-ala terminus of cell wall precursors, blocking transglycosylation and peptidoglycan elongation.
- Rapid IV infusion of vancomycin can cause ____, a non-allergic histamine-release reaction.
- red man syndrome
- What is the mechanism of action of aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin)?
- They bind the 30S ribosomal subunit and cause misreading of mRNA, blocking initiation.
- What is the signature toxicity of aminoglycosides?
- Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity
- What is the mechanism of action of tetracyclines?
- They bind the 30S ribosomal subunit and block aminoacyl-tRNA attachment.
- Tetracyclines are avoided in children and pregnancy because they cause ____.
- tooth discoloration and bone growth inhibition
- What is the mechanism of action of macrolides (e.g., azithromycin)?
- They bind the 50S ribosomal subunit and block translocation.
- What is the signature toxicity of macrolides?
- QT interval prolongation
- What is the mechanism of action of fluoroquinolones?
- They inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase (topoisomerase II) and topoisomerase IV.
- Fluoroquinolones carry a warning for ____.
- tendinitis and tendon rupture
- What is the mechanism of action of sulfonamides?
- They inhibit dihydropteroate synthase, blocking bacterial folate synthesis.
- What is the signature toxicity of sulfonamides?
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome