Nitroimidazole

The nitroimidazoles are a group of antibiotics which are used in medicine. They can be administered as a tablet and is bactericidal against almost all anaerobic bacteria ( except Actinomyces and Propionibacterium acnes ) and many protozoa. The most important representative is metronidazole, tinidazole and newer variants are nimorazole. In Germany nimorazole than Naxogin commercially. Tinidazole was as Simplotan (Pfizer ) is available, but has now taken in Germany from the market.

Pharmacodynamics

The bactericidal action of nitroimidazoles unfolds intramikrobiell, which only caused by reduction of the nitro group of the highly active metabolites, which damage the intracellular bacterial DNA. The reduction is thereby favored by anaerobic metabolism, which explains the use of nitroimidazoles against anaerobes. When DNA damage are V.A. Adduct formation with neighboring base pairs of a DNA strand in the foreground, which can lead to strand breaks depending on the strength of the bond disorder.

Indications

The nitroimidazoles are suitable for treatment of the following infections: Trichomonas vaginalis ( trichomoniasis ), Gardnerella vaginalis ( Aminkolpitis ), Giardia lamblia ( giardiasis, giardiasis ), Entamoeba histolytica ( amoebic dysentery, amoebic liver abscess - ), as well as various Anaerobierinfektionen.

Contraindications

Nitroimidazoles should not be used during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Guide you through inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenases to intolerance of alcohol.

The development of nitroimidazoles went from the 1953 isolated from a Streptomyces species Azomycin (2- nitroimidazole ) of which proved to be highly effective against cancer, because of its toxicity but could not be used clinically.

Side effects

Common adverse effects of nitroimidazoles appear in the form of gastrointestinal complaints. You may get to taste disturbances in the form of a metallic taste sensation.