Tetracycline Antibiotics
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Overview
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics effective against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, atypical organisms, and certain parasites. Doxycycline is the most widely used agent, indicated for respiratory infections, STIs, Lyme disease, malaria prophylaxis, and acne.
How do tetracycline antibiotics work?
Tetracyclines reversibly bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit of bacteria, blocking the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the mRNA-ribosome complex and thereby inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. They enter bacteria by passive diffusion and active transport; resistance most commonly occurs via efflux pump upregulation or ribosomal protection proteins.
Drugs in this class
- Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx, Oracea)