General information Beta-lactamases are genetically and structurally closely related to penicillin-binding proteins. Their production by bacteria is a major mechanism of resistance to the action of beta-lactam antibiotics. Drugs have therefore been developed that inhibit beta-lactamase, as a way of…
General information The beta-lactam antibiotics still comprise roughly half of the antibiotic market worldwide. The common structure that defines the whole family of beta-lactam antibiotics is the four-membered, highly reactive beta-lactam ring, which is essential for antimicrobial activity [ ].…
General information Many beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (beta-blockers) have been developed, and their adverse effects have been comprehensively reviewed [ ]. The spectrum of adverse effects is broadly similar for all beta-blockers, despite differences in their pharmacological properties, notably cardioselectivity, partial agonist…
See also individual agents General information Beta 2 -adrenoceptor agonists are widely used in asthma and have inevitably been associated with a number of problems. Some of these are attributable to the drugs themselves, others to the formulations in which…
See also Herbal medicines General information The genera in the family of Berberidaceae ( Table 1 ) include lychee and soapberry. Table 1 Genera of Berberidaceae Achlys (achlys) Epimedium (epimedium) Podophyllum (may apple) Berberis (barberry) Jeffersonia (jeffersonia) Vancouveria (insideout flower)…
See also Prostaglandins General information Beraprost is a stable, orally active analogue of PGI 2 . It has been tested in patients with intermittent claudication in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial [ ]. Beraprost improved walking distance more often than placebo.…
See also Calcium channel blockers General information Bepridil is an antidysrhythmic drug with unusual pharmacological properties in that it belongs to both class I and class IV. In other words, it blocks both the fast inward sodium current and the…
General information Bephenium hydroxynaphthoate is an antihelminthic drug that has been used in the treatment of hookworm infections due to Ancylostoma duodenale in a single dose [ ]. It is well tolerated, and reactions are confined to mild gastrointestinal disturbances…
General information Benzyl alcohol is commonly used as a preservative in multidose injectable pharmaceutical formulations. For this purpose, concentrations in the range of 0.5–2.0% are used and the whole amount of benzyl alcohol injected is generally very well tolerated. Concentrations…
General information Benzydamine is 1-benzyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropoxy)- H -indazole, used for medical purposes as the hydrochloride. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and local anesthetic effects. In the past it has been especially used in the symptomatic treatment of edematous postoperative or traumatic…