Arsi University
College of Health Science
Pharmacy Department (Pharmacology Unit)
Infectious Diseases and Rural Medicine
OSPE Pharmacology Part
1. You are reviewing a list of antimicrobials for their clinical uses (amoxycillin,
chloramphenicol and levofloxacin). You are requested to identify and explain their common
side effects, mechanism of action and life-threatening side effects (5 points).
a) Explain the mechanism of action of each antimicrobial
b) List three common side effects for each antimicrobial
c) Discuss any life-threatening side effects for each
2. Describe how bacteria develop resistance against the following classes of antimicrobials
(cephalosporins, macrolides and aminoglycosides (3 points)).
3. Discuss the rationale behind using antimicrobial combinations, and provide an example
where such a combination is used (3 points)
4. Classify each of the following antifungal agent on its mechanism of action
(anidulafungin, nystatin, terbinafine, flucytosine, griseofulvin, fluconazole) (3 points).
5. What are the appropriate first line antiretroviral agents for the following weight and age
groups of patients livening with HIV/AIDS (3 points)?
a) Neonates (2 – 3 kg)
b) Infants and children (3 – 30 kg)
c) Adolescents and adults above 30 kg
6. Classify the following antiamoebic and antimalarial drugs based on their site of action
(paromomycin, metronidazole, chloroquine, primaquine, amodiaquine, artemether-
lumefantrine) (3 points).