Quinupristin/dalfopristin
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Quinupristin (top) and dalfopristin (bottom) | |
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Quinupristin | Streptogramin antibiotic |
Dalfopristin | Streptogramin antibiotic |
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Routes of administration | IV |
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Quinupristin/dalfopristin (pronunciation: kwi NYOO pris tin / dal FOE pris tin) (trade name Synercid) is a combination of two antibiotics used to treat infections by staphylococci and by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.
Quinupristin and dalfopristin are both streptogramin antibiotics, derived from pristinamycin. Quinupristin is derived from pristinamycin IA; dalfopristin from pristinamycin IIA. They are combined in a weight-to-weight ratio of 30% quinupristin to 70% dalfopristin.
Administration
Intravenous, usually 7.5 mg/kg every 8–12 hours
Mechanism of action
Quinupristin and dalfopristin are protein synthesis inhibitors in a synergistic manner. While each of the two is only a bacteriostatic agent, the combination shows bactericidal activity.
- Dalfopristin binds to the 23S portion of the 50S ribosomal subunit, and changes the conformation of it, enhancing the binding of quinupristin[1] by a factor of about 100. In addition, it inhibits peptidyl transfer.[1]
- Quinupristin binds to a nearby site on the 50S ribosomal subunit and prevents elongation of the polypeptide,[1] as well as causing incomplete chains to be released.[1]
Pharmacokinetics
Clearance by the liver, half-life 1–3 hours (with persistence of effects for 9–10 hours).
Side effects
Drug interactions
The drug inhibits P450 and enhances the effects of terfenadine, astemizole, indinavir, midazolam, calcium channel blockers, warfarin, cisapride and ciclosporin.
References
Further reading
- Allington DR, Rivey M (Jan 2001). "Quinupristin/dalfopristin: a therapeutic review". Clin. Ther. 23 (1): 24–44. doi:10.1016/S0149-2918(01)80028-X. PMID 11219478.
- "Quinupristin/dalfopristin: a review of its use in the management of serious gram-positive infections". Drugs. 58 (6): 1061–97. December 1999. doi:10.2165/00003495-199958060-00008. PMID 10651391. .
- "Quinupristin-dalfopristin: a new antibiotic for severe gram-positive infections". Am Fam Physician. 64 (11): 1863–6. December 2001. PMID 11764864. .
- "MRSA". Med. Clin. North Am. 85 (1): 1–17. January 2001. doi:10.1016/s0025-7125(05)70302-3. PMID 11190346. .
- https://web.archive.org/web/20070618100658/http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/SYNERCID.htm