ATC Group: G01A ANTIINFECTIVES AND ANTISEPTICS, EXCL. COMBINATIONS WITH CORTICOSTEROIDS

Acetic acid is indicated for the treatment of superficial infections of the external auditory canal.

Amphotericin B is a macrocyclic, polyene antifungal antibiotic produced by Streptomyces nodosus. The molecule is thought to act by binding to sterols in the fungal cell membrane, with a resulting change in membrane permeability, allowing leakage of a variety of small molecules.

Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic which has activity against many types of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It acts by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis. Chloramphenicol is widely distributed in body tissues and fluids and enters the cerebrospinal fluid.

Ciclopirox is a hydroxypyridone antifungal agent which is active in vitro inhibiting the growth of various fungal species including the yeast Malassezia furfur (formerly known as Pityrosporum ovale or Pityrosporum orbiculare).

Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic with a primarily bacteriostatic action against Gram-positive aerobes and a wide range of anaerobic bacteria. Lincosamides such as clindamycin bind to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and inhibit the early stages of protein synthesis.

Clotrimazole acts against fungi by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis. Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis leads to structural and functional impairment of the fungal cytoplasmic membrane. Clotrimazole has a broad antimycotic spectrum of action in vitro and in vivo, which includes dermatophytes, yeasts, moulds, etc.

Dapivirine is an NNRTI with potent antiviral activity against HIV-1. It prevents viral replication by binding directly to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and blocking its activity. Dapivirine binding is non-competitive against both the RNA template and the nucleotide substrate.

Dequalinum is an anti-infective and antiseptic agent belonging to the class of quaternary ammonium compounds. The primary mechanism of action is an increase in bacterial cell permeability and the subsequent loss of enzyme activity, finally resulting in cell death.

Econazole nitrate is a broad spectrum antimycotic with activity against dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds. A clinically relevant action against Gram positive bacteria has also been found.

Fenticonazole is a broad-spectrum antimycotic agent.

Furazolidone is a microbicidal. It is a broad-spectrum anti-infective that is effective against most gastrointestinal tract pathogens. Furazolidone interferes with several bacterial enzyme systems. It neither significantly alters normal bowel flora nor results in fungal overgrowth.

Hexetidine is a broad spectrum antimicrobial. It is active both in vivo and in vitro, against gram positive and negative bacterium, as well as yeasts (Candida albicans) and fungi.

Isoconazole is for use in the treatment of superficial fungal diseases of the skin. It displays a very broad spectrum of antimicrobial action. It is effective against dermatophytes and yeasts, yeast-like fungi (including the causative organism of pityriasis versicolor) and molds, as well against gram-positive bacteria in-vitro and against the causative organism of erythrasma.

Ketoconazole is an imidazole-dioxolane antimycotic, active against yeasts, including Malassezia and dermatophytes.

Metronidazole is an anti-infectious drug belonging to the pharmacotherapeutic group of nitroimidazole derivatives, which have effect mainly on strict anaerobes. This effect is probably caused by interaction with DNS and different metabolites.

Miconazole possesses an antifungal activity against the common dermatophytes and yeasts as well as an antibacterial activity against certain gram-positive bacilli and cocci. Its activity is based on the inhibition of the ergosterol biosynthesis in fungi and the change in the composition of the lipid components in the membrane, resulting in fungal cell necrosis.

Natamycin is a tetraene polyene antibiotic derived from Streptomyces natalensis. It possesses in vitro activity against a variety of yeast and filamentous fungi, including Candida, Aspergillus, Cephalosporium, Fusarium and Penicillium. The mechanism of action appears to be through binding of the molecule to the sterol moiety of the fungal cell membrane.

Nystatin is an antifungal antibiotic active against a wide range of yeasts and yeast-like fungi, including Candida albicans.

Ornidazole is indicated for the treatment of Bacterial vaginosis. It is effective against Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia (Giardia intestinalis), and also against certain anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides and Clostridium spp., Fusobacterium spp., and anaerobic cocci.

Oxytetracycline is a broad spectrum tetracycline antibiotic with activity against a large number of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The product acts by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis.

Povidone iodine is an iodophore that has an established use as a broad-spectrum antiseptic, mainly for the treatment of contaminated wounds and for the preoperative preparation of the skin, mucous membranes and the ocular surface. The organic complex contains approximately 10% of active available iodine. Solutions of povidone iodine gradually release iodine to exert an antimicrobial effect against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and spores. Although povidone iodine is less potent than preparations containing free iodine, it is also less toxic.

Sertaconazole, an azole antifungal agent, inhibits fungal cytochrome P-450-mediated 14 alpha-lanosterol demethylase enzyme. This enzyme functions to convert lanosterol to ergosterol. Ergosterol is a key component of fungal cell membranes and lack of this component leads to fungal cell injury by leakage of key constituents in the cytoplasm from the cell.

Terconazole, an azole antifungal agent, inhibits fungal cytochrome P-450-mediated 14 alpha-lanosterol demethylase enzyme. The accumulation of 14 alpha-methyl sterols correlates with the subsequent loss of ergosterol in the fungal cell wall and may be responsible for the antifungal activity of terconazole. Terconazole is used for the local treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (moniliasis).

Tinidazole is active against both protozoa and obligate anaerobic bacteria. The activity against protozoa involves Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. The mode of action of tinidazole against anaerobic bacteria and protozoa involves penetration of the drug into the cell of the micro-organism and subsequent damage of DNA strands or inhibition of their synthesis.

Tioconazole is an imidazole derivative. Tioconazole is a broad spectrum antifungal agent that also has an antibacterial effect on a number of Gram-positive cocci (e.g. Stapphylococcus, Streptococcus species). It is active against commonly occurring dermatophyte and yeast-like fungal species.

Ascorbic acid, coupled with dehydroascorbic acid to which it is reversibly oxidised, has a variety of functions in cellular oxidation processes. Ascorbic acid is required in several important hydroxylations, including the conversion of proline to hydroxyproline and appears to have an important role in metal ion metabolism, including the gastrointestinal absorption of iron and its transport between plasma and storage organs.