General principles of AMAs

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General principles of AMAs

Key terms:

Chemotherapy

Antibiotic vs Antimicrobial Agent

Bactericidal vs Bacteriostatic

Narrow spectrum vs Broad spectrum

Toxicity

Drug resistance

Superinfection

Synergism

Key concepts:

Classification of AMAs

Structure

MOA

Target organism

Spectrum of activity

Disadvantages of AMAs

1) Toxicity

local e.g. thrombophlebitis

systemic e.g. nephrotoxicity

2) Hypersensitivity

3) Drug resistance

natural

acquired

cross

4) Superinfection

Choice of an AMA

patient factors

drug factors

Why use combinations of AMAs?

synergism

reduce ADRs

prevent resistance

broaden spectrum

BUT

* This comes with a price (literally leads to higher cost)

* You may also increase the risk of ADRS, superinfections, and resistance

Preventative measures:

NO to indiscriminate, inadequate or prolonged drug use

NO to broad spectrum drugs

YES to drug combination therapy

YES to intensely treating infections that are prone to resistance

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