Antimicrobials are substances that eliminate or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms such as fungi, bacteria, or protozoa. Antimicrobial drugs can kill harmful microbes or prevent their growth. American Integrative Pharmacy provides antimicrobial compounded medications to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County and other Southern California areas.
History of Antimicrobials
The antimicrobials originated when Pasteur and Joubert discovered that one type of bacteria has the potential to prevent the growth of another type. The reason for this is that one of the two types may produce an antibiotic. Therefore, in a technical sense, antibiotics are substances that produced by one micro-organism to kill or inhibit the growth of another micro-organism.
In modern terminology, the term antibiotic is used to refer to nearly any medication that is aimed at helping the body get rid of a bacterial infection. Antimicrobials include antibiotics as well as synthetically formed compounds. Discovery of antimicrobials such as tetracycline and penicillin have helped millions of people around the world gain better health.
There was a time when no viable medical treatment was available for a number of infections. Now most of the infections can be cured effectively with a brief course of antibiotics. AIP is a leading compounding pharmacy, which also provides modern state of the art services such as online prescription refills. AIP receives patients from Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County and other Southern California locations.
Advanced Antimicrobial Solutions
One of the challenges with traditional antimicrobial drugs is that micro-organisms have adapted and become resistant to older antimicrobial agents. Heavy metals or poisons were primarily used in the traditional antimicrobial drugs, which may not have eliminated the microbe completely, allowing it to survive, mutate, and become resistant to these heavy metals and poisons.
To counter this challenge, researchers have now developed a cutting edge antimicrobial nanotechnology. This technology replaces toxins and heavy metals, and may be used a viable alternative in the future.
Synthetic Drugs
Infections acquired in a hospital are known as “hospital acquired infections” and those picked up in non-hospital environments are called “community acquired.” Synthetic agents to treat such infections include sulphonamides, cotrimoxazole, quinolones, anti-virals, anti-fungals, anti-cancer drugs, anti-malarials, anti-tuberculosis drugs, anti-leprotics, and anti-protozoals.
Sulfonamide or sulphonamide constitutes the core of various drug groups. The original antibacterial sulfonamides, which are commonly known as sulfa drugs, are synthetic antimicrobial agents that are based on the sulfonamide group. The sulfonylureas and thiazide diuretics are newer drug groups based on the antibacterial sulfonamides.
Antibacterial sulfonamides act as inhibitors of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase (DHPS). This enzyme is involved in the folate synthesis. As such, the microorganism will be “starved” of folate and die.
The sulfonamide chemical moiety is also present in other drugs that are not antimicrobials, including thiazide diuretics (including hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone, and indapamide, among others), loop diuretics (including furosemide, bumetanide, and torsemide), sulfonylureas (including glipizide, glyburide, among others), and some COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib), and acetazolamide.
AIP offers compounded formulations to treat a variety of bacterial infections in situations where mass produced drugs may not be applicable or effective.
For more information on compound medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.
American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.
