04 Antimicrobial Medications Free Online FlashCards

What do antibiotics treat—and what do they not treat?

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral illnesses such as colds or influenza.

Which antibiotics are commonly used for confirmed strep throat?

Penicillin or amoxicillin is used for confirmed group A strep throat.

What is an important limitation of nitrofurantoin?

Nitrofurantoin is associated with uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections, but it is not a drug for kidney infection.

What infection is oral vancomycin used for?

Oral vancomycin is used for C. difficile infection; vancomycin is also associated with serious gram-positive infections, including MRSA.

What notable complication is associated with clindamycin?

Clindamycin is used for selected skin, dental, and anaerobic infections and is notably associated with C. difficile diarrhea.

Do herpesvirus nucleoside analogues eliminate latent herpesvirus?

Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir suppress herpes outbreaks but do not eliminate latent virus.

Which oral antiviral is commonly used for influenza, and when is it most effective?

Oseltamivir is a commonly used oral option for influenza A and B; treatment is most effective when started early.

What respiratory condition-related caution applies to zanamivir?

Zanamivir is inhaled and is generally avoided in people with asthma or COPD.

What are the drug classes in bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide?

Bictegravir is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor; emtricitabine and tenofovir are nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

What is an important consideration with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir?

Ritonavir has important drug interactions, so timing and patient eligibility matter for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment.

How do azoles act, and which fungal genus is fluconazole commonly used against?

Azoles inhibit fungal ergosterol synthesis. Fluconazole is associated with many Candida infections.

How do echinocandins work, and how are they given?

Echinocandins inhibit fungal cell-wall synthesis and are given intravenously for selected serious Candida infections.