Canonical Question
Micro Pharm – Antibacterials
Master answer
AMINOGLYCOSIDES
Mechanism of Action
- Permeates into the bacterial cell down electronegative gradient (negative interior) via O2 dependent process
- Can be retarded by acidic, anaerobic environments (abscess)
- Inhibits bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit
- Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis
- Inhibition of bacterial growth (bacteriostatic) → bacteriocidal
- Synergism with cell wall inhibitors (β lactam antibiotics)
- Penicillins inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis → increased permeability to aminoglycosides → inhibition of protein synthesis (including penicillin binding protein) → Further increase in cell permeability → death
- Displays concentration dependent killing and post-antibiotic effect
- Peak plasma aminoglycoside >8 MIC required
- Large AUC not required
Antimicrobial Spectrum
- Strong activity against aerobic gram negative bacteria
- Effective against gram positives esp. with β lactam synergism
- Ineffective against obligate anaerobes
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Poor GI absorption, UNLESS inflammation or ulceration
- Distribution
- Vd approximating extracellular fluid
- Poorly protein bound
- Poor CNS, ocular penetrance
- Metabolism
- Minimal metabolism
- Elimination
- Renal clearance via filtration
- T1/2b 2~3 hours
- Can be removed by dialysis
Exam appearances
| Exam | Exact wording | Relationship | Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009A Q23 | Describe the mechanism of action, antibacterial spectrum and pharmacokinetics of aminoglycosides. | historical_member | — |