Contains a beta lactam ring structure. Betalactam antibiotics inhibit the growth of sensitive bacteria by inactivating transpeptidase enzymes located in the bacterial cell membrane, inhibiting crosslinkage of peptidoglycans and thus impairing cell wall synthesis

Inhibits Glycopeptide synthetase  prevents peptidoglycan formation in bacterial cell well
(Unlike penicillins, prevents the transfer and addition of the muramylpentapeptide
building blocks that make up the peptidoglycan molecule itself.)
May also alter membrane permeability and selectively inhibit RNA synthesis.
Antimicrobial activity Dependent on Duration above MIC, not concentration

BA 62%

bioavailabilty Oral: Poor; I.M.: Erratic; Intraperitoneal: ~38%
IV. dose loading 20mg/kg then 1-1.5g daily based on levels

penetration into CSF occurs with inflamed meninges only

Distributes widely in
body tissue and fluids, except for CSF, improved CSF penetration with inflamed meninges

20% PB

~50% PB

Vd: 0.4-1 L/kg

Some Hepatic Metabolism

Little or no metabolism

Mostly unchanged in urine.
Rest is feces and bile

excretion via kidneys unchanged
Not effectively removed by dialysis

half life Biphasic half life, prolonged in renal fail. Mean t1/2 4-6hrs

Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis.
Rapid infusion is associated with histamine release - red-man syndrome.
Ototoxicity rare, dose related. Nephrotoxicity has declined with improved formulations, usually resolves with cessation of drug

Moderate spectrum
Semisynthetic
Can penetrate some gram
negative outer membranes,
but susceptible to betalactamases. Often given with clauvanic acid
Targets
Strep, Listeria, Enterococcus, Haemophilus

active against most gram positive bacteria (including staphlycocci, streptococci, enterococci, listeria monocytogenes, clostridium sp, and Bacillus sp.), with limited gram negative activity.

ANTIBIOTIC:
PENICILLIN

ANTIBIOTIC:
GLYCOPEPTIDE

It possesses a broad spectrum of activity against gram positive bacteria including MRSA.
Acts synergistically with aminoglycosides, cephalosporins and rifampicin (although synergy testing required as vancomycin + cephalosporin may act antagonistically against some strains of staph epidermis)

Betalactam

Tricyclic glycopeptide antibiotic produced by streptococcus orientalis

Level 1

Level 1

Store at 2-8 degrees, clear solution. Slowly due to vessel irritation (& risk of red man syndrome).
Monitoring required to avoid toxic levels (aiming serum conc 15+/-3).

Bacteria produce beta lactamases, which hydrolyse and inactivate the antibiotic

Resistance
MRSA
Many Staph
-Betalactamase prod

VanA resistance – gene mutation leading to decreased affinity of peptidoglycan precursors for vancomycin.
Induced by exposure to vanc / teicoplanin
Van B resistance – similar but only induced by vancomycin; strains may remain susceptible to teicoplanin