Cefpodoxime is an orally administered, extended spectrum, semi-synthetic antibiotic of the cephalosporin class. Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cefpodoxime has activity in the presence of some beta-lactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases, of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Cefpodoxime is indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions: acute otitis media; pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis; community-acquired pneumonia; acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis; gonorrhea; uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections; acute maxillary sinusitis and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (cystitis). Common adverse reactions include diarrhea, nausea, vaginal fungal infections, vulvovaginal infections, abdominal pain, headache. Concomitant administration of high doses of antacids (sodium bicarbonate and aluminum hydroxide) or H2 blockers reduces peak plasma levels by 24% to 42% and the extent of absorption by 27% to 32%, respectively. Oral anti-cholinergics (e.g., propantheline) delay peak plasma levels (47% increase in Tmax), but do not affect the extent of absorption (AUC). Probenecid: As with other beta-lactam antibiotics, renal excretion of cefpodoxime was inhibited by probenecid and resulted in an approximately 31% increase in AUC and 20% increase in peak cefpodoxime plasma levels.

Rifabutin is an antibiotic that inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in susceptible cells. Specifically, it interacts with bacterial RNA polymerase but does not inhibit the mammalian enzyme. It is bactericidal and has a very broad spectrum of activity against most gram-positive and gram-negative organisms (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and specifically Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is FDA approved for the prophylaxis of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients with advanced HIV infection. Multiple dosing of rifabutin has been associated with induction of hepatic metabolic enzymes of the CYP3A subfamily. Rifabutin’s predominant metabolite (25-desacetyl rifabutin: LM565), may also contribute to this effect. Similarly, concomitant medications that competitively inhibit the CYP3A activity may increase plasma concentrations of rifabutin. Common adverse reactions include discoloration of skin, rash, diarrhea, disorder of taste, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, increased liver aminotransferase level (mild), ocular discoloration, uveitis, abnormal color of body fluid.

Terbinafine (brand name Lamisil, Terbisil, Terboderm and others) is an antifungal medication used to treat ringworm and fungal nail infections. Terbinafine inhibits ergosterol synthesis by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, an enzyme that is part of the fungal cell membrane synthesis pathway. Because terbinafine prevents the conversion of squalene to lanosterol, ergosterol cannot be synthesized. This is thought to change cell membrane permeability, causing fungal cell lysis. Many side effects and adverse drug reactions have been reported with oral terbinafine hydrochloride possibly due to its extensive biodistribution and the often extended durations involved in antifungal treatment (longer than two months).

Atovaquone is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of naphthoquinones; it is manufactured in the US in the liquid form, or oral suspension, under the brand name Mepron. Meron is used for the treatment or prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients who are intolerant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Also indicated for the acute oral treatment of mild to moderate PCP in patients who are intolerant to TMP-SMX. The mechanism of action against Pneumocystis jiroveci has not been fully elucidated. In Plasmodium species, the site of action appears to be the cytochrome bc1 complex (Complex III). Several metabolic enzymes are linked to the mitochondrial electron transport chain via ubiquinone. Inhibition of electron transport by atovaquone results in indirect inhibition of these enzymes. The ultimate metabolic effects of such blockade may include inhibition of nucleic acid and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. Several laboratories, using different in vitro methodologies, have shown the IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) of atovaquone against P. jiroveci to be 0.1 to 3.0 mcg/mL.

Clarithromycin is an antibacterial drug which is used either in combination with lansoprazole and amoxicillin (Prevpac), in combination with omeprazole and amoxicillin (Omeclamox) or alone (Biaxin) for the treatment of broad range of infections. The drug exerts its action by binding to 23s rRNA (with nucleotides in domains II and V). The binding leads to the protein synthesis inhibition and the cell death.

Foscarnet is an antiviral agent. Foscarnet shows activity against human herpesviruses and HIV. Foscarnet is used for treating eye problems caused by CMV in people with AIDS. It is also used to treat a type of HSV that cannot be treated by another medicine in people with a weak immune system. FOSCAVIR is the brand name for foscarnet sodium. FOSCAVIR is an organic analogue of inorganic pyrophosphate that inhibits replication of herpesviruses in vitro including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). FOSCAVIR exerts its antiviral activity by a selective inhibition at the pyrophosphate binding site on virusspecific DNA polymerases at concentrations that do not affect cellular DNA polymerases. FOSCAVIR does not require activation (phosphorylation) by thymidine kinase or other kinases and therefore is active in vitro against HSV TK deficient mutants and CMV UL97 mutants. Thus, HSV strains resistant to acyclovir or CMV strains resistant to ganciclovir may be sensitive to FOSCAVIR.

Azithromycin is one of the world's best-selling antibiotics, used to treat or prevent certain bacterial infections: Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in adults; acute bacterial sinusitis in adults; uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in adults; urethritis and cervicitis in adults; genital ulcer disease in men; acute otitis media in pediatric patients; community-acquired pneumonia in adults and pediatric patients; pharyngitis/tonsillitis in adults and pediatric patients. Azithromycin should not be used in patients with pneumonia who are judged inappropriate for oral therapy because of moderate to severe illness or risk factors. A team of researchers at the Croatian pharmaceutical company Pliva, discovered azithromycin in 1980. It was patented in 1981. In 1986, Pliva and Pfizer signed a licensing agreement, which gave Pfizer exclusive rights for the sale of azithromycin in Western Europe and the United States. Pliva put its azithromycin on the market in Central and Eastern Europe under the brand name of Sumamed in 1988. Pfizer launched azithromycin under Pliva's license in other markets under the brand name Zithromax in 1991. Azithromycin is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic of the azalide class. Like other macrolide antibiotics, azithromycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of the bacterial 70S ribosome. Binding inhibits peptidyl transferase activity and interferes with amino acid translocation during the process of translation. Its effects may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal depending of the organism and the drug concentration. Its long half-life, which enables once daily dosing and shorter administration durations, is a property distinct from other macrolides.

Prednicarbate is a relatively new topical corticosteroid drug. It is similar in potency to hydrocortisone. It has a favorable benefit-risk ratio, with an inflammatory action similar to that of a medium potency corticosteroid, but with a low potential to cause skin atrophy. DERMATOP Ointment (prednicarbate ointment) 0.1% is a medium potency corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses. Like other topical corticosteroids, prednicarbate has anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic and vasoconstrictive properties. The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of the topical steroids, in general, is unclear. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2. Prednicarbate has a strong correlation between transactivation and glucocorticoid receptor binding.

Fluconazole, a synthetic antifungal agent of the imidazole class, is used to treat vaginal candidiasis. It inhibits the fungal lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase which thereby prevents the formation of ergosterol which is an essential component in the fungal cell membrane. Indicated for the treatment of fungal infections.

Ofloxacin is one of a new generation of fluorinated quinolones structurally related to nalidixic acid, primary mechanism of action is inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase. It is an orally administered broad spectrum antibacterial drug active against most Gram-negative bacteria, many Gram-positive bacteria and some anaerobes. Clinical trials to date have demonstrated the efficacy of ofloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. Adverse effects to ofloxacin are usually mild and include gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and hypersensitivity reactions. Also available in solution for treatment of otic and ophthalmic bacterial infections.