Antibacterial drugs that inhibit cell wall synthesis penicillins, cephalosporins and vancomycin

Penicillins have a very low toxicity, but high concentrations (renal failure, intraihccal administration) may produce encephalopathy, which can be fatal. HyperseDsitivity is the most important side-effect of the penicillins, which may cause rashes and, rarely, anaphylactic reactions that are fatal in about 10% of cases. 

Phenuxymethylpenicillin has (he same. spectrum a.s hcn/ylpeni-cillin, but is less active. It is acid stable and is given orally. However, its absorption is variable and it is only useful for very sensitive organisms, where a rapid action is unnecessary (streptococcal ton.silliiis). Phenoxy-mcihylpenidllin is aseful in Ihc prophylaxis of rheuniaiic fever. 

1 Psi uiiomimiis aerugimisti is a Or.im-negative bacillus resistant at many ami-btotics. It con cause serious opportunistic infections including pneumonia anil sepilcuemiu. 

Mernpenem is a carhapenem (a structure similar to penicillin) but is highly rcsistatii to 1-lactamases. It has a wide spectrum of activity hut is inactive against some Psettdpmomis strains, aiid MRSA. It is given hy intravenous itijectton. 

Tills group of antibiotics acts by inhibiting bacterial protein symbesis. Tlicy are selectively toxic because bacterial ribosomes (tlie sites of protein synthesis) consist of a SOS and a SOS subunit, while mammalian rilKtsomes have a 60S and a 40S subunit. 

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Antibacterial drugs that inhibit cell wall synthesis penicillins, cephalosporins and vancomycin... 

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