Pharmacology

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.…

Carbapenems: Broadest spectrum of beta-lactam antibiotics. imipenem with cilastatin meropenem ertapenem Monobactams: Unlike other beta-lactams, there is no fused ring attached to beta-lactam nucleus. Thus, there is less probability of cross-sensitivity reactions. aztreonam Beta-lactamase Inhibitors No antimicrobial activity. Their sole purpose is to prevent the inactivation of beta-lactam antibiotics by beta-lactamases, and as such, they are co-adm…

Drug-Receptor Interactions Drug Receptor:  any functional macromolecule in a cell to which a drug binds to produce its effects.  at receptors, drugs mimic or block the action of the body's own regulatory molecules.   Receptors and Selectivity of Drug Action : If a drug interacts with only one kind of receptor, and if that receptor regulates just a few processes, then the effects of the drug will be limited. Even though a drug is selective…

Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs Sedative drug is the drug that reduce anxiety (anxiolytic) and produce sedation and referred to as minor tranquillisers.  Hypnotic drug is the drug that induce sleep Effects: make you sleepy; general CNS depressants Uses: sedative-hypnotic (insomnia ), anxiolytic (anxiety, panic, obsessive compulsive, phobias), muscle relaxant (spasticity, dystonias), anticonvulsant (absence, status epilepticus, generalized seizures—r…

Specific Agents Hydralazine [orally effective] MOA: Not completely understood. Seems to be partially dependent on the release of EDRF and perhaps partially due to K+-channel activation - in clinical doses action is manifest primarily on vascular smooth muscle (non-vascular muscle is not much affected). - Re: Metabolism & Excretion. In cases of renal failure the plasma half life may be substantially increased (4-5 fold). One mode of metabolism is via N-A…