Question

Macrolides, tetracyclines, oxazolidinones (e.g., linezolid), and aminoglycosides all produce their antibacterial effects by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis; however, each drug class has distinct uses.

• Why is azithromycin, but not doxycycline, most commonly used for treating community acquired pneumonia?

• If gentamicin is a bactericidal drug and linezolid is only bacteriostatic, why is linezolid generally considered the more restricted-use antibiotic and more “powerful” for treating Gram-positive infections?

Answer 1