Introduction/Overview Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite advances in public health and diagnostic technologies. Effective pharmacologic therapy is central to disease control, with multidrug regimens designed to eradicate the bacillus, prevent resistance, and achieve cure. This monograph aims to provide a detailed, evidence-based review of antitubercular pharmacology, tailored for…
Introduction / Overview The tetracycline and chloramphenicol families represent two historically significant classes of antibacterial agents that continue to play roles in contemporary therapeutic regimens. These compounds are widely encountered in clinical practice, particularly in the management of multidrug‑resistant infections, dermatologic conditions, and certain intracellular pathogens. Their continued relevance is underscored by emerging resistance patterns,…
Introduction/Overview Aminoglycoside antibiotics constitute a pivotal class of bactericidal agents utilized primarily against aerobic Gram‑negative pathogens and certain Gram‑positive organisms. Their distinctive mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic profile confer both therapeutic efficacy and a spectrum of adverse effects that necessitate careful clinical management. The enduring relevance of these drugs is underscored by their role in…
Introduction/Overview Macrolide antibiotics have long been integral to the treatment of bacterial infections, particularly those caused by gram‑positive cocci and certain atypical organisms. Their broad spectrum of activity, favorable safety profile, and convenient dosing regimens have contributed to widespread clinical use. This monograph aims to provide a detailed examination of macrolide pharmacology, with emphasis on…
Introduction/Overview Quinolones and their structural analogues, the fluoroquinolones, constitute a class of synthetic antibacterial agents that have substantially expanded the therapeutic armamentarium against a wide array of gram‑negative and gram‑positive pathogens. Their utility is underscored by broad spectrum activity, favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and the ability to achieve therapeutic concentrations at sites of infection that are…
Introduction / Overview Sulfonamides, commonly referred to as sulfa drugs, represent one of the earliest classes of synthetic antibacterial agents. Their discovery in the 1930s marked a pivotal advancement in antimicrobial therapy, providing a versatile scaffold for subsequent drug development. Cotrimoxazole, a fixed‑dose combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, exemplifies the synergistic potential of pairing two…
Introduction / Overview Beta‑lactam antibiotics constitute the most extensively utilized class of antibacterial agents in contemporary clinical practice. Their ubiquity arises from broad antimicrobial coverage, favorable safety profiles, and well‑established pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Knowledge of the structural diversity, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic nuances of beta‑lactams is essential for clinicians, pharmacists, and students engaged…
Introduction / Overview Calcium homeostasis is a central physiological process governing skeletal integrity, neuromuscular function, and vascular activity. Pharmacologic modulation of calcium balance has become indispensable in the management of metabolic bone disorders, particularly osteoporosis and hyperparathyroidism. Two principal therapeutic classes dominate this landscape: bisphosphonates, which inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogs,…
Introduction and Overview The management of preterm labor and other conditions requiring temporary suppression of uterine contractility is a critical component of obstetric care. Uterine relaxants, commonly referred to as tocolytics, are pharmacologic agents that inhibit spontaneous uterine contractions, thereby delaying delivery and allowing for the administration of antenatal corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection, and…
Introduction/Overview Uterine stimulants, commonly referred to as oxytocics, constitute an essential class of pharmacologic agents employed in obstetric and gynecologic practice. They are primarily utilized to initiate or augment uterine contractions, thereby facilitating labor induction, managing postpartum hemorrhage, and controlling uterine atony. The clinical significance of oxytocics is underscored by their widespread application in both…