Introduction Definition and Overview Chloramphenicol is a broad‑spectrum antibacterial agent belonging to the nitrobenzene class. It is characterized by its ability to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis through binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, thereby preventing peptide bond formation. Because of its unique mechanism and wide range of activity, chloramphenicol has historically served as a valuable…
Introduction/Overview Azithromycin, a 15‑membered macrolide antibiotic, has become a cornerstone in the treatment of a broad spectrum of bacterial infections. Its distinctive pharmacokinetic properties, including extensive tissue penetration and a prolonged half‑life, enable convenient dosing regimens that are often superior to other macrolides. The clinical relevance of azithromycin extends beyond its antibacterial activity; it possesses…
Introduction / Overview Tetracycline represents a pivotal class of broad‑spectrum antibiotics that has maintained a prominent role in antimicrobial therapy for more than six decades. The compound was first isolated from a soil bacterium in the 1940s and has since been subjected to extensive chemical modification, giving rise to several derivatives such as doxycycline, minocycline,…
Introduction Gentamicin is a broad‑spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic that is widely used in the treatment of serious gram‑negative infections. It is derived from the fermentation of Micromonospora purpurea and is available as a mixture of several isomers, primarily gentamicin C1, C1a, and C2. Historically, the discovery of gentamicin in the 1940s marked a significant advancement in…
Introduction/Overview Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that has maintained a pivotal role in the treatment of serious Gram‑positive infections for several decades. Its continued relevance is underscored by the rise of methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other multidrug‑resistant organisms, for which vancomycin remains one of the few effective systemic agents. The pharmacologic profile of vancomycin—including…
Introduction Ceftriaxone is a third‑generation cephalosporin antibiotic characterized by a broad spectrum of activity against Gram‑negative and Gram‑positive bacteria. It is frequently employed in the treatment of severe infections such as community‑acquired pneumonia, meningitis, intra‑abdominal sepsis, and septicemia. The present monograph aims to provide a detailed overview of ceftriaxone’s pharmacologic properties, clinical applications, and practical…
Introduction/Overview Amoxicillin is a widely employed β‑lactam antibiotic belonging to the penicillin class. Its broad spectrum of activity, favorable safety profile, and ease of oral administration make it a cornerstone in the management of bacterial infections across diverse patient populations. This chapter is designed to furnish medical and pharmacy students with a comprehensive understanding of…
Introduction/Overview Penicillin G, also known as benzylpenicillin, represents the prototypical β‑lactam antibiotic and remains a cornerstone in the treatment of a wide array of bacterial infections. Its enduring clinical relevance is attributed to its broad spectrum activity against Gram‑positive organisms, favorable safety profile, and well-characterized pharmacokinetics. This monograph is intended to provide medical and pharmacy…
Introduction Magnesium hydroxide (chemical formula Mg(OH)2) is a white, insoluble inorganic compound widely employed in clinical practice as an antacid and osmotic laxative. Since its first therapeutic use in the early 20th century, it has become a staple in over‑the‑counter preparations for the management of dyspepsia, gastro‑oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and constipation. Its dualistic pharmacologic…
Introduction Loperamide is a synthetic, peripherally acting μ‑opioid receptor agonist widely employed as an antidiarrheal agent. Its therapeutic action is confined to the gastrointestinal tract, thereby minimizing central nervous system effects commonly associated with systemic opioid agonists. The drug was first synthesized in the early 1970s as part of a series of opioid analogues, and…