Question

what are adverse reactions of penicillins, cepalosporins,and ofher cell wall synthesis inhibitors

Answer 1

Cell wall synthesis inhibitors are type of antibacterial antibacterial agents which includes penicillins, cepalosporins, carbapenems and other miscellaneous drugs like aztreonam and vancomycin. Most of the bacteria have peptidoglycan cell wall and these type of antibiotics inhibits the formation of this specific wall by forming beta lactam ring in their molecular structure.These rings binds to transpeptidases and hence preventing the cell wall to from cross links thereby increasing the osmotic gradient form between the inside and the outside of the cell wall leading to leakage and degradation of cell wall content.

These cell wall synthesis inhibitors shows dual characteristics of both IgE mediated and non-IgE mediated adverse reactions. During an IgE-mediated reactions which is also called Gell Coombs type I hypersensitivity reaction, the drug antigen attach itself with IgE antibodies, hence creating an IgE cross-link, activating the cell and releasing new mediators. These adverse reactions are usually urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, bronchospasm and some types of adverse drug skin reactions like exfoliative dermatitis.

During Non-IgE mediated adverse reactions, other elements of our immune system excluding IgE antibodies are involved. These adverse reactions are fever, anaphylaxis and serum sickness.