Small molecule
PubChem CID 54671203
Doxycycline
Vibramycin
- Mechanism of action
- Tetracycline, inhibits 30S ribosomal subunit
- In plain language
- Latches onto bacteria's protein-building machinery, stopping them from growing and multiplying so the body's immune system can clear the infection.
- How it works
- Doxycycline reversibly binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria, blocking attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA to the mRNA-ribosome complex. This prevents incorporation of new amino acids into the growing peptide chain, halting bacterial protein synthesis. Because protein production is essential for bacterial growth and replication, this action is bacteriostatic across a broad range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, as well as atypical intracellular pathogens such as Rickettsia, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma. The resulting suppression of bacterial proliferation allows host immune defenses to clear the infection.
- Therapeutic applications
- Indicated for infections caused by susceptible organisms, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other rickettsioses; Chlamydia trachomatis infections; several Gram-negative infections including chancroid, plague, tularemia, and cholera; upper respiratory tract infections; inhalational anthrax (including post-exposure prophylaxis); alternative therapy for gonorrhea and syphilis; adjunctive therapy in severe acne; and malaria chemoprophylaxis for short-term travelers to areas with resistant strains.
- Class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Antibiotic
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