Introduction Definition and Overview Clavulanic acid is a β‑lactamase inhibitor that belongs to the class of β‑lactam compounds. It is commonly combined with penicillin derivatives, most notably amoxicillin, to broaden antimicrobial coverage against β‑lactamase–producing organisms. The inhibitor functions by covalently binding to the active site of β‑lactamases, thereby preventing enzymatic degradation of the companion antibiotic….
Introduction Definition and Overview Tazobactam is a synthetic β‑lactamase inhibitor belonging to the class of sulbactam analogues. It is formulated as a salt of 2‑[α‑(1‑hydroxy‑2‑pyrrolidinyl)‑2‑oxo‑1‑pyrrolyl]‑3,5‑dihydro‑4‑oxo‑4H‑pyrrol-2‑yl‑4‑carboxylic acid. The compound is administered intravenously in combination with β‑lactam antibiotics to extend their spectrum of activity against β‑lactamase–producing bacteria. Its primary pharmacologic role is to inhibit a broad range…
Introduction/Overview Piperacillin is a broad‑spectrum, semisynthetic, ureidopenicillin antibiotic that possesses an extended spectrum of activity against Gram‑negative and Gram‑positive organisms, as well as anaerobes. It is typically administered intravenously in combination with tazobactam, a β‑lactamase inhibitor, to form the clinically utilized agent piperacillin‑tazobactam. The pharmacological profile of piperacillin has made it a cornerstone in the…
Introduction Sulfasalazine is a synthetic compound belonging to the class of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and anti-inflammatory agents. It functions as a prodrug that undergoes selective intestinal reduction to yield its active metabolites, 5‑aminosalicylic acid (5‑ASA) and sulfapyridine. Historically, sulfasalazine was first introduced in the 1940s as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and later expanded…
Introduction Bisacodyl is a synthetic stimulant laxative that has been employed for several decades to relieve constipation and facilitate bowel preparation prior to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The pharmacologic activity of bisacodyl is primarily localized to the distal colon, where it induces peristaltic activity through direct stimulation of enteric nerves and smooth muscle cells. Its…
Introduction Hyoscine butylbromide, also known as scopolamine butylbromide, is a quaternary ammonium salt of scopolamine that exerts antispasmodic activity primarily on smooth muscle tissue. The compound has been employed for more than eight decades in the management of abdominal cramping, urinary retention, and various gastrointestinal motility disorders. Its clinical relevance is underscored by its widespread…
Introduction Definition and Overview Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide composed of a fructose and a galactose moiety linked by a β‑2,1 glycosidic bond. It is not absorbed intact in the small intestine; instead, it reaches the colon largely unchanged. In the colonic lumen, lactulose is metabolised by resident bacteria into a mixture of organic acids,…
Introduction Promethazine is a first‑generation phenothiazine antihistamine that has been employed clinically for several decades as an antiemetic, sedative, and anti‑allergic agent. Its primary pharmacologic actions involve antagonism of histamine H1 receptors, inhibition of dopamine D2 receptors, and modulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The compound is available in oral, intramuscular, and intravenous formulations, and is…
Introduction Definition and Overview Domperidone is a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist that exhibits prokinetic activity in the gastrointestinal tract. By blocking peripheral dopamine receptors, it enhances gastric emptying and increases lower esophageal sphincter tone, thereby alleviating symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia. The drug is widely employed in the management of gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and…
Introduction Sucralfate is a high‑molecular‑weight, anionic copolymer composed of sulfated sucrose and aluminum hydroxide. It is classified as a mucosal protective agent and is widely utilized in the management of gastrointestinal mucosal lesions. The drug was first introduced in the 1960s following the observation that an aluminum salt complexed with a sucrose derivative could adhere…