Spectinomycin is a bacteriostatic antibiotic Overview of Antibacterial Drugs Antibacterial drugs are derived from bacteria or molds or are synthesized de novo. Technically, “antibiotic” refers only to antimicrobials derived from bacteria or molds but is often (including... read more chemically related to the aminoglycosides Aminoglycosides Aminoglycosides (see table Aminoglycosides) have concentration-dependent bactericidal activity. These antibiotics bind to the 30S ribosome, thereby inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Spectinomycin... read more . Spectinomycin binds to the 30S subunit of the ribosome, thus inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Its activity is restricted to gonococci. Spectinomycin is excreted by glomerular filtration.
Indications include
Spectinomycin is not effective for gonococcal pharyngitis. It is not available in the US, and where available, it is reserved for patients who cannot be treated with ceftriaxone or cefixime plus azithromycin or doxycycline.
Adverse effects, including hypersensitivity reactions and fever, are rare.
