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Penicillins MOA Answer: beta-lactam ring interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis, leads to
cell lysis
Penicillins broad or narrow Answer: broad and narrow
Penicillins ADRs Answer: resistance is common (ex/MRSA)
most common drug allergy
superinfections common with broad spectrum
can interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
Ampicillin and amoxicillin indication, MOA, ADR Answer: indication: often combined with other
agents to inhibit beta-lactamase (which inhibits penicillins)
(ex/ unasyn and augmentin)
MOA: IV and PO
ADRs: GI
Narrow spectrum penicillins Answer: Penicillin G (IM,IV)
Broad spectrum penicillins Answer: Ampicillin
Amoxicillin
Cephalosporins names and MOA Answer: -cef- or ceph-"
similar to penicillins (beta-lactam ring), most widely used
Cephalosporins broad or narrow Answer: broad spectrum
Cephalosporins ADRs Answer: safe and effective even at high doses
minimal ADRs:
superinfections possible
GI effects possible
cross allergies for persons with penicillin allergies
Cephalosporins drug interactions Answer: Alcohol: some can lead to disulfram-like reactions
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, Anticoagulants: some can promote bleeding
What characterizes the generations of cephalosporins Answer: five generations
each generation is broader
each generation increased in ability to reach CSF (useful for treating bacterial meningitis)
5th generation is effective against MRSA and VRSA
Impenem (Primaxin) MOA Answer: beta-lactam
Carbapenems: Impenem (Primaxin) broad or narrow Answer: very broad (although not effective
against MRSA)
Impenem (Primaxin) ROA Answer: IV only!
not absorbed from the GI tract
Impenem (Primaxin) ADRs Answer: generally well-tolerated:
GI symptoms most common
superinfections
may have cross-allergy with other beta-lactam antibiotics
Vancomycin MOA Answer: very potent antibiotic
inhibits cell wall synthesis, promoting bacterial lysis and death
Vancomycin ROA Answer: primarily slow IV infusion
can be given PO for intestinal infections, such as C-dif
Vancomycin narrow or broad Answer: Narrow!
what is the most widely used antibiotic in US hospitals? Answer: vancomycin
Vancomycin ADRs Answer: nephrotoxicity:
leading to renal failure (increased risk with high doses or with other nephrotoxic drugs) (peak,
trough, and creatinine monitored)
ototoxicity
Red man syndrome (Vancomycin flushing syndrome) from too rapid of an IV infusion:
flushing, rash, pruritus, tachycardia, hypotension
1. stop
2. antihistamine
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
LEARN, PRACTICE & EXCEL!
Penicillins MOA Answer: beta-lactam ring interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis, leads to
cell lysis
Penicillins broad or narrow Answer: broad and narrow
Penicillins ADRs Answer: resistance is common (ex/MRSA)
most common drug allergy
superinfections common with broad spectrum
can interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
Ampicillin and amoxicillin indication, MOA, ADR Answer: indication: often combined with other
agents to inhibit beta-lactamase (which inhibits penicillins)
(ex/ unasyn and augmentin)
MOA: IV and PO
ADRs: GI
Narrow spectrum penicillins Answer: Penicillin G (IM,IV)
Broad spectrum penicillins Answer: Ampicillin
Amoxicillin
Cephalosporins names and MOA Answer: -cef- or ceph-"
similar to penicillins (beta-lactam ring), most widely used
Cephalosporins broad or narrow Answer: broad spectrum
Cephalosporins ADRs Answer: safe and effective even at high doses
minimal ADRs:
superinfections possible
GI effects possible
cross allergies for persons with penicillin allergies
Cephalosporins drug interactions Answer: Alcohol: some can lead to disulfram-like reactions
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, Anticoagulants: some can promote bleeding
What characterizes the generations of cephalosporins Answer: five generations
each generation is broader
each generation increased in ability to reach CSF (useful for treating bacterial meningitis)
5th generation is effective against MRSA and VRSA
Impenem (Primaxin) MOA Answer: beta-lactam
Carbapenems: Impenem (Primaxin) broad or narrow Answer: very broad (although not effective
against MRSA)
Impenem (Primaxin) ROA Answer: IV only!
not absorbed from the GI tract
Impenem (Primaxin) ADRs Answer: generally well-tolerated:
GI symptoms most common
superinfections
may have cross-allergy with other beta-lactam antibiotics
Vancomycin MOA Answer: very potent antibiotic
inhibits cell wall synthesis, promoting bacterial lysis and death
Vancomycin ROA Answer: primarily slow IV infusion
can be given PO for intestinal infections, such as C-dif
Vancomycin narrow or broad Answer: Narrow!
what is the most widely used antibiotic in US hospitals? Answer: vancomycin
Vancomycin ADRs Answer: nephrotoxicity:
leading to renal failure (increased risk with high doses or with other nephrotoxic drugs) (peak,
trough, and creatinine monitored)
ototoxicity
Red man syndrome (Vancomycin flushing syndrome) from too rapid of an IV infusion:
flushing, rash, pruritus, tachycardia, hypotension
1. stop
2. antihistamine
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
