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Antibiotics that Inhibit Protein Synthesis
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Antibiotics that Inhibit Protein Synthesis

Antibiotics that Block Protein Synthesis
Aminoglycosides: Gentamycin, Neomycin, Amikacin, Tobramycin, and, Streptomycin
  • Most common uses
– Gram-negative infections – Not effective against anaerobes – Often used synergistically with beta-lactams
  • Mechanism of Action
– Bind the 30S subunit Causes misreading of bacterial mRNA and blocking translocation
  • Mechanism of Resistance
– Enzymatic inactivation of the antibiotics
  • Adverse effects
– Nephrotoxicity – Neuromuscular blockade – Ototoxicity – Contraindicated in pregnancy (teratogens)
Oxazolidinone: Linezolid
  • Most common uses
– Gram-positive bacteria Staphylocci (including MRSA) Enterococci (including VRE) Streptococci Clostridium Some anaerobic cocci.
  • Mechanism of Action
– Binds the 50S subunit Inhibits the initiation complex and blocks protein synthesis.
  • Adverse effects
– Myelosuppression (decreased bone marrow activity) – Serotonin syndrome (particularly when given to patients who take antidepressants). Lincosamide: Clindamycin
  • Most common uses
– Anaerobic bacteria – Gram-positive cocci Commonly used in Streptococcus and Staphylococcus infections
  • Mechanism of Action
– Binds the 50S subunit Blocks protein synthesis
  • Adverse effects
– Diarrhea – Clostridium difficile colitis – Rash
Macrolides: Azithromycin, Erythromycin, and Clarithromycin
  • Most common uses
Broad-spectrum – Gram-positive bacteria – Neisseria – Legionella – Mycoplasma – Chlamydiae – Treponema – Clarithromycin and Azithromycin are effective against some Mycobacteria.
  • Mechanism of Action
– Binds the 50S subunit Block translocation and protein synthesis
  • Adverse effects
– Gastrointestinal upset due to increased motility – QT prolongation – Hepatotoxicity
Tetracyclines: Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Minocycline
  • Most common uses
– Acne – Doxycycline is effective against MRSA infection – Borrelia burgdorferi – Mycoplasm pneumoniae – Rickettsia – Chlamydiae
Tetracyclines accumulate intracellularly, which accounts for their ability to act on intracellular bacteria.
  • Mechanism of Action
– Bind the 30S subunit Prevents aminoactyl-tRNA attachment and, therefore, block an early step in protein synthesis.
  • Adverse effects
– Gastrointestinal discomfort – Photosensitivity – In children these drugs can cause tooth discoloration and bone growth inhibition – Contraindicated in pregnancy – Do not take with milk, antacids, or iron, which can interfere with their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

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