Mechanism Of Macrolide Antibiotics
Question 1. Discuss The Adverse Effects Of Aminoglycosides.
Answer:
The following are the adverse effects of aminoglycosides:
- Ototoxicity: Aminoglycosides get concentrated inside the perilymph and endolymph of the inner ear which causes damage to vestibular and cochlear hair cells. Streptomycin and gentamycin mainly affect vestibular function while amikacin, neomycin, and kanamycin affect auditory function.
- Nephrotoxicity: Aminoglycosides become concentrated in the renal cortex and cause nephrotoxicity which is reversible. Nephrotoxicity is highest with neomycin and least with streptomycin.
- Neuromuscular blocking effect: Aminoglycoside inhibit the release of acetylcholine from the motor nerve ending and there is apnea and muscular paralysis.
- Hypersensitivity reactions: They are seen rarely in the form of skin rashes and drug fever.
- Aminoglycosides in pregnancy can lead to ototoxicity in the fetus.
Mechanism of Macrolide Antibiotics: How They Work and Their Action
Question 2. Describe The Mechanism Of Macrolide Antibiotics And Mention The Preferred Agent For Each Use And Their Adverse Effects.
Answer:
Mechanism Of Macrolide Antibiotics
Macrolides act by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. They combine with 50S ribosome subunits and interfere with translocation.
After peptide bond formation between the newly attached amino acid and nascent peptide chain at the acceptor site, the elongated peptide is translocated back to the peptidyl site making the acceptor site available for the next aminoacyl tRNA attachment.
This is prevented by macrolide and the ribosome fails to move along mRNA to expose the next codon. As an indirect consequence, the peptide chain may be prematurely terminated and the synthesis of larger proteins is specifically suppressed.
Basically, macrolides are bacteriostatic drugs but at high concentrations, they become bactericidal agents.
Macrolide Antibiotics Mechanism: Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin
Preferred Macrolide Antibiotic Agents with Their Uses And Adverse Effects

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