NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
BETA-LACTAM ANTIBIOTICS
β-lactam antibiotics are a broad class of antibiotics including penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins, monobactams, carbapenems and β-lactamase inhibitors; basically any antibiotic agent which contains a β-lactam nucleus in its molecular structure. They are the most widely used group of antibiotics available.
Mode of action All β-lactam antibiotics are bactericidal, and act by inhibiting the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls.β-lactam antibiotics were mainly active only against Gram-positive bacteria, the development of broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics active against various Gram-negative organisms has increased the usefulness of the β-lactam antibiotics.
Common β-lactam antibiotics
Penicillins
Narrow spectrum penicillins:
benzathine penicillin
benzylpenicillin (penicillin G)
phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
procaine penicillin
Narrow spectrum penicillinase-resistant penicillins
methicillin
dicloxacillin
flucloxacillin
Moderate spectrum penicillins :
amoxicillin, ampicillin
Broad spectrum penicillins :
co-amoxiclav (amoxycillin+clavulanic acid)
Extended Spectrum Penicillins:
piperacillin
ticarcillin
azlocillin
carbenicillin
Aquaretics
An aquaretic is a class of drug that is used to promote aquaresis, the excretion of water without electrolyte loss.
Lithium, demeclocycline
Mechanism of Action
1. Block ADH action on distal tubule and collecting duct. Blocking ADH decreases H2O permeability. H2O is not recovered (distal tubule) using osmotic draw of counter-current multiplier so aquaretics reduce water reabsorption (tubule to blood stream).
2. Net effect is an increase in free water clearance
Methicillin
Methicillin is an antibiotic related to penicillin and other beta-lactam containing antibiotics. It is often used to treat infections caused by bacteria carrying an antibiotic resistance, e.g., staphylococci. As methicillin is deactivated by gastric acid, it has to be administered by injection.
Uses Methicillin serves a purpose in the laboratory to determine antibiotic sensitivity in microbiological culture.
Carbenicillin
Antibiotic that is chemically similar to ampicillin. Active against gram-negative germs. It is well soluble in water and acid-labile.
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
β2 -agonists are invariably used in the symptomatic treatment of asthma.
Epinephrine and ephedrine are structurally related to the catecholamine norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter of the adrenergic nervous system
Some of the important β 2 agonists like salmeterol, terbutaline and salbutamol are invariably used as bronchodilators both oral as well as
aerosol inhalants
SALBUTAMOL
It is highly selective β2 -adrenergic stimulant h-aving a prominent bronchodilator action.
It has poor cardiac action compared to isoprenaline.
TERBUTALINE
It is highly selective β2 agonist similar to salbutamol, useful by oral as well as inhalational route.
SALMETEROL
Salmeterol is long-acting analogue of salbutamol
BAMBUTEROL
It is a latest selective adrenergic β2 agonist with long plasma half life and given once daily in a dose of 10-20 mg orally.
METHYLXANTHINES (THEOPHYLLINE AND ITS DERIVATIVES)
THEOPHYLLINE
Theophylline has two distinct action:
smooth muscle relaxation (i.e. bronchodilatation) and suppression of the response of the airways to stimuli (i.e. non-bronchodilator prophylactic effects).
ANTICHOLINERGICS
Anticholinergics, like atropine and its derivative ipratropium bromide block cholinergic pathways that cause airway constriction.
MAST CELL STABILIZERS
SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE
It inhibits degranulation of mast cells by trigger stimuli.
It also inhibits the release of various asthma provoking mediators e.g. histamine, leukotrienes, platelet activating factor (PAF) and interleukins (IL’s) from mast cell
KETOTIFEN
It is a cromolyn analogue. It is an antihistaminic (H1 antagonist) and probably inhibits airway inflammation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) in primate.
It is not a bronchodilator. It is used in asthma and symptomatic relief in atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and urticaria.
LEUKOTRIENE PATHWAY INHIBITORS
MONTELUKAST
It is a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist indicated for the management of persistent asthma.
Methyl salicylate
also known as oil of wintergreen, betula oil, methyl ester) is a natural product of many species of plants Structurally, it is methylated salicylic acid It is used as an ingredient in deep heating rubs
Thiopental
- A barbiturate that is generally used to induce anesthesia.
- The temporal course of effects from induction to recovery depends almost entirely upon progressive redistribution.
- Metabolic degradation or excretion during anesthesia is negligible, except in the case of methohexital.
- The barbiturates produce minimal analgesia.
- Respiratory depression may be pronounced.
- Cardiac output is reduced while total peripheral resistance is increased.
- It does not sensitize the heart to catecholamines.
- It may cause bronchiospasm, especially in asthmatics.
- It is contraindicated in acute intermittent porphyria.