Development of chemotherapy may be viewed in three phases:- 1. Pre Ehrlich Period 2. Period of Paul Ehrlich 3. Period highlighted by discovery of sulfonamides and antibiotics. Phase # 1. Pre Ehrlich Period: In this period some compounds were used empirically to treat different diseases. Sometimes adverse effects were also monitored due to empirical use of the compounds. Cinchonabark was [...]
Successful therapy of microbial infections depends upon several factors viz. identification of pathogens and their drug sensitivity, rapid attainment of effective drug concentration at the site of infection, host defenses and maintenance of drug level for adequate period, use of supportive drugs and duration of treatment. The therapeutic concentration of drug at focus of infection is however, based on its [...]
This article provides a note on chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol is a highly active, broad spectrum antibiotic with excellent pharmacokinetic properties. Source: It is obtained from Actinomyces venezuelae. It is the first antibiotic to be synthesised commercially. Chemistry: It is a derivative of di-chloroacetic acid and contains nitrobenzene moiety. It is a white or grey or yellow fine crystalline powder. It is [...]