Introduction/Overview Fluconazole represents a cornerstone agent within the systemic antifungal armamentarium. As a synthetic triazole antifungal, its development marked a significant advancement in the management of invasive and superficial fungal infections due to its favorable pharmacokinetic profile, oral bioavailability, and broad spectrum of activity. The clinical importance of fluconazole is underscored by its extensive use … Read more
Introduction/Overview Amphotericin B represents a cornerstone polyene macrolide antibiotic in the therapeutic armamentarium against severe, life-threatening systemic fungal infections. First isolated in 1955 from Streptomyces nodosus, it has maintained its status as a gold-standard antifungal agent for decades, often described as “amphoterrible” due to its significant toxicity profile, yet indispensable for its broad-spectrum and fungicidal … Read more
Introduction/Overview Dapsone, a synthetic sulfone antimicrobial agent, represents a cornerstone in the chemotherapeutic management of several chronic infectious and inflammatory conditions. First synthesized in the early 20th century and introduced into clinical practice in the late 1940s, its primary and most historically significant application remains the treatment of leprosy (Hansen’s disease). The drug’s utility has … Read more
Introduction/Overview Ethambutol is a first-line synthetic chemotherapeutic agent integral to the modern management of tuberculosis. Its discovery in 1961 represented a significant advancement in antimycobacterial therapy, providing an orally active agent with a distinct mechanism of action. The clinical importance of ethambutol stems from its role in combination therapy, which is essential for preventing the … Read more
Introduction/Overview Pyrazinamide is a cornerstone synthetic antimycobacterial agent integral to the modern short-course chemotherapy for tuberculosis. Its introduction in the 1950s and subsequent integration into first-line regimens in the 1970s revolutionized tuberculosis treatment by significantly reducing therapy duration from 18-24 months to the current standard of 6 months. The drug’s unique sterilizing activity against semi-dormant … Read more
Introduction/Overview Isoniazid, also known by its abbreviation INH, represents a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent in the global management of tuberculosis (TB). Since its introduction into clinical practice in the early 1950s, its potent bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis has rendered it indispensable for both the treatment of active disease and the prevention of latent infection. The … Read more
Introduction/Overview Rifampicin, also known as rifampin in some regions, represents a cornerstone antimicrobial agent within the modern pharmacotherapeutic arsenal. As a semisynthetic derivative of rifamycin B, produced by Streptomyces mediterranei, its introduction revolutionized the treatment of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections. The clinical importance of rifampicin extends beyond its direct bactericidal activity, as its potent … Read more
Introduction/Overview Cotrimoxazole represents a fixed-dose combination antimicrobial agent consisting of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in a 5:1 ratio. This synergistic combination has maintained clinical utility for over five decades despite the continuous evolution of antimicrobial resistance. The drug’s broad-spectrum activity against a diverse array of bacterial, protozoal, and fungal pathogens underpins its continued relevance in both … Read more
Introduction/Overview Ciprofloxacin is a synthetic chemotherapeutic agent belonging to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. Since its introduction in the 1980s, it has represented a cornerstone in the management of a broad spectrum of bacterial infections due to its potent bactericidal activity, favorable pharmacokinetic profile, and availability in both oral and intravenous formulations. Its development marked … Read more
Introduction/Overview Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic first isolated from Streptomyces venezuelae in 1947. It represents a historically significant antimicrobial agent whose clinical use has become markedly restricted in many parts of the world due to its association with serious, potentially fatal hematological toxicities. Despite this, it retains a crucial therapeutic role in specific, often life-threatening … Read more