Author: Donna Brettler

Merrem: Carbapenem for Severe Infection

Carbapenem antibiotics were first discovered in the 1970s. The first and only marketed agent in this class was Primaxin, a combination product containing imipenem and the human renal dihyropeptidase-I (DHP-I) antagonist cilastatin.

2 Antiretroviral Drugs: Fuzeon and Reyataz

Since the introduction of zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir) in 1987, a relatively large number of drugs have been developed for the treatment of HIV-induced AIDS. Currently available antiretroviral drugs are subclassified based on their chemical structure and site of action as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs: zidovudine, didanosine, zalcitabine, stavudine, lamivudine and abacavir), non­nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs: nevirapine, delavirdine and efavirenz) and protease inhibitors (PIs: saquinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, amprenavir, and lopinavir). The use of these and all antiretrovirals as monotherapy is limited largely by the rapid development of viral resistance. Thus current Public Health Service HIV treatment guidelines recommend the use of drug combinations consisting of three or four anti-AIDS drugs.

Cubicin (Daptomycin): drug for skin infections

Daptomycin (Cubicin) is a cyclic lipopeptide natural product and thus represents a new structural class of antibacterial drugs with a mechanism of action that is different from those of other available antibiotics. It produces its antimicrobial effects by binding to bacterial membranes and causing a rapid depolarization of membrane potential.

Diflucan: Common questions

Are there long-term consequences of yeast infections? How long has Diflucan been around for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections? Can I use Diflucan with oral contraceptives? When should I take Diflucan? How can an oral medication be effective for a vaginal condition? Is Diflucan safe?

Yeast infection basics

That’s because about 75% of women will have at least 1 vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime. About half of these women have more than one. Fortunately, most yeast infections aren’t serious — especially if you get the right treatment. But symptoms of a yeast infection — which may include vaginal itching, burning, abnormal discharge — can easily be confused with those of other vaginal infections.