Question:medium

Which class of antibiotics characteristically shows concentration-dependent killing?

Show Hint

Higher peak = more kill, plus a long post-antibiotic effect: that means aminoglycosides.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
  • Aminoglycosides
  • Beta-lactams (penicillins)
  • Glycopeptides (vancomycin)
  • Macrolides (erythromycin)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Antibiotic pharmacodynamics splits agents into concentration-dependent and time-dependent killers. For concentration-dependent drugs, the higher the peak relative to MIC, the faster and more complete the kill; the key indices are $C_{max}/MIC$ and $AUC/MIC$.

Aminoglycosides are the textbook example. Their bactericidal action improves with rising peak concentration, and they exert a substantial post-antibiotic effect, meaning bacterial regrowth is suppressed even after the drug level falls below the MIC. These two properties together justify extended-interval (once-daily) dosing: a single large dose gives a high bactericidal peak, while the long drug-free trough reduces accumulation-related nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

By contrast, $\beta$-lactams, vancomycin and macrolides are time-dependent — killing is maximal once levels exceed roughly $4\times$MIC, so the goal is to keep the concentration above the MIC for as long as possible ($T>MIC$) rather than to chase a high peak.

\[\boxed{\text{Aminoglycosides} = \text{concentration-dependent killing}}\]
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