Viomycin

Cyclic Peptide Antibiotic (tuberactinomycin)Rx: ResearchCompound: Withdrawn

Also known as: Florimycin, Tuberactinomycin B, Viocin

Educational Only — Not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before using any peptide.

Summary

Viomycin is a cyclic peptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces puniceus, historically used as a second-line agent for tuberculosis, particularly multidrug-resistant strains. It has been largely superseded by capreomycin due to similar efficacy and a less favorable toxicity profile. It is no longer in clinical use but remains a research tool for studying ribosome function.

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 70S ribosome at the interface of the 30S and 50S subunits, blocking translocation and stabilizing the ribosome in a pretranslocation state; also inhibits reverse transcriptase activity.

Routes of Administration

Intramuscular

Goals & Uses

  • Ribosome function researchResearch ToolHigh
  • HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitionAntiviral ResearchLow
  • Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosisAntimicrobialModerate

Contraindications

  • Concurrent use of other nephrotoxic agentsDrug InteractionHigh
  • Pre-existing renal impairmentOrgan FunctionHigh
  • Pre-existing hearing loss or vestibular dysfunctionAuditory/VestibularHigh

Adverse Effects

  • Injection site reactionsLocalCommon
  • OtotoxicityAuditory/vestibularCommon
  • Electrolyte disturbancesMetabolicCommon
  • Neuromuscular blockadeNeuromuscularRare
  • NephrotoxicityRenalCommon

Drug Interactions

  • Neuromuscular blocking agentsModerate
  • Aminoglycosides (e.g., streptomycin, kanamycin)High
  • Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide)High

Population Constraints

  • Pediatric patientsAgeRelative
  • Elderly patientsAgeRelative
  • Pregnant womenReproductiveRelative

Regulatory Status

  • European UnionWithdrawnNot currently approved or available in EU member states.
  • United StatesWithdrawnApproved: Pulmonary tuberculosis (historical)No longer commercially available in the US; previously approved for second-line TB use.
  • United KingdomWithdrawnNot currently approved or available in the UK.

Viomycin is no longer commercially available as an approved therapeutic in major markets. It was previously used in TB treatment programs but was withdrawn from clinical use. Capreomycin, a closely related tuberactinomycin, replaced it in clinical practice.

Evidence & Sources

No sources recorded yet.

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