Pefloxacin
Pefloxacin
Pefloxacin (/pɛˈflɒksəsɪn/) is a quinolone antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It is a synthetic chemotherapeutic agent derived from the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics.
Etymology
The term "Pefloxacin" is derived from the parent class of antibiotics it belongs to, the fluoroquinolones. The "pe" prefix is a proprietary designation, while "floxacin" is a common suffix for drugs in this class, indicating their mechanism of action as inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase.
Usage
Pefloxacin is primarily used to treat severe and life-threatening bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Gram-negative bacteria. It is also used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, and gastrointestinal infections.
Mechanism of Action
Pefloxacin works by inhibiting the bacterial DNA gyrase, an enzyme essential for DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination. This inhibition prevents the bacteria from reproducing and repairing themselves, leading to their eventual death.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Pefloxacin include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. More serious side effects can include tendon rupture, photosensitivity, and neurotoxicity.
Related Terms
- Quinolone
- Fluoroquinolone
- DNA gyrase
- Gram-negative bacteria
- Urinary tract infection
- Respiratory tract infection
- Gastrointestinal infection
- Tendon rupture
- Photosensitivity
- Neurotoxicity
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pefloxacin
- Wikipedia's article - Pefloxacin
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