Question
Classify cephalosporins. Describe the mechanism of action and clinical uses of ceftriaxone.
Which drug can be combined with amoxicillin to treat infection due to beta lactamase
producing staph. aureus. ( 2+1+2+1 = 6)
Q1 6 marks Essays ★ ✓
Answer
Classification of cephalosporins
First generation: Cefazolin, Cephalexin
Second generation: Cefuroxime, Cefaclor
Third generation: Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime
Fourth generation: Cefepime
Fifth generation: Ceftaroline
Mechanism of action of ceftriaxone
Binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), inhibiting bacterial cell wall transpeptidation (cross-linking of peptidoglycan) — bactericidal, particularly against actively dividing bacteria
Clinical uses of ceftriaxone
Meningitis (crosses blood-brain barrier well)
Gonorrhoea (single-dose IM therapy)
Typhoid fever
Community-acquired pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections
Surgical prophylaxis, sepsis (broad Gram-negative and good Gram-positive cover, long half-life allows once-daily dosing)
Drug combined with amoxicillin for beta-lactamase-producing S. aureus
Clavulanic acid (Amoxicillin-clavulanate) — clavulanic acid irreversibly inhibits bacterial beta-lactamase, protecting amoxicillin from hydrolysis and restoring efficacy against beta-lactamase-producing organisms
1 Beta Lactam Antibiotics
Other Years Asked
1 ( 2022 February (2019 Scheme) Essay · 12 marks 2 Enumerate Cephalosporins. Describe their mechanism of action, uses and adverse
effects of third generation Cephalosporins. (4+4) 2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Essay · 8 marks 3 ( 2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Essay · 8 marks 4 Enumerate the antibiotics which act by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. Mention the detailed
mechanism of action of any one of them on bacterial cell wall synthesis. Add a note on beta
lactamase inhibitors (2 + 2 +2 = 6) 2014 March (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 5 Classify beta lactam antibiotics. Explain the mechanism of action, uses and adverse
effects of ceftriaxone. (2+2+1+1) 2018 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 6 Classify cephalosporins. Mention the mechanism of action, adverse effects and uses
of third generation cephalosporin. (2+2+2=6) 2017 February (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 7 A 50 years old lady complains of pain in the throat and has been diagnosed to
have streptococcal tonsillitis. Answer the following: 2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Essay · 6 marks 8 Mention Two drugs which can be given to treat enteric fever. Explain the mechanism of action, uses and
adverse effects of any one. (2+4) 2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Essay · 6 marks 9 4th generation cephalosporins 2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 10 III generation cephalosporin 2023 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 11 Second generation cephalosporins and its uses. 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 12 Penicillin 2025 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 13 Beta-Lactamase inhibitors 2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Note · 3 marks 14 Specify the important spectrum of ciprofloxacin. 2017 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 15 Anti pseudomonal drugs 2014 March (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 16 Metronidazole and ceftriaxone for brain abscess 2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 17 Cotrimoxazole is NOT effective against infections caused by: 2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) MCQ · 1 mark 18 Use of Clavulanic acid with Amoxicillin. 2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 19 Combination of Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid 2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 20 Assertion (A): Vancomycin is used primarily to treat infections caused by Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Reason (R): Vancomycin inhibits the formation of bacterial cell walls by binding to D-alanyl-
D-alanine, a component of the peptidoglycan precursor. 2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) MCQ (A/R) · 1 mark 21 Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid 2019 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 22 Pharmacological basis for combining beta lactamase inhibitors with beta lactam
antibiotics. 2017 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 23 The potent inhibitor of bacterial cell wall synthesis used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections is: 2025 March (Supplementary (SAY)) (2019 Scheme) MCQ · 1 mark 24 Gentamicin 2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 25 Mention anti pseudomonal penicillins 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 26 Cilastatin with Imipenem 2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 27 Gram negative septicemia 2014 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 28 Clavulanic acid with Amoxicillin 2023 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 1 mark 29 Tocolytics 2020 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 30 Antipseudomonal cephalosporins 2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 31 Third generation cephalosporins 2024 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 32 Fourth generation cephalosporins in MRSA infection 2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 33 Drugs effective against both gram positive & gram negative organisms 2019 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 34 Anti-seborrheic agents 2019 February (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 35 Iron chelators 2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 36 Anticancer antibiotics 2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.3 marks 37 Drugs used in Penicillinase producing staphylococcal infections. 2022 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) Short Answer · 0.2 marks