Pharmacology of Infectious Diseases

Pharmacology of infectious diseases involves the study of drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, target bacterial cell walls or protein synthesis. Antivirals like acyclovir and oseltamivir inhibit viral replication. Antifungals such as fluconazole and amphotericin B disrupt fungal cell membranes. Antiprotozoals like chloroquine treat parasitic infections like malaria. These drugs vary in their pharmacokinetics—how they're absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Resistance to antimicrobials is a growing concern, with pathogens evolving mechanisms to evade treatment. Proper drug selection and awareness of resistance are key to effective infection management.