ATC vet code: QA07AA06.
Pharmacodynamics
Paromomycin belongs to the group of aminoglycoside antibiotics. Paromomycin changes the reading of messenger-RNA, which disrupts protein synthesis. The bactericidal activity of paromomycin is mainly attributed to its irreversible binding to ribosomes. Paromomycin has broad spectrum activity against numerous Grampositive and Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli.
Paromomycin acts in a concentration-dependant manner. Five mechanisms of resistance have been identified: changes of the ribosome due to mutations, reduction of permeability of bacterial cell wall or active efflux, inactivation of aminoglycosides by enzymes and enzymatic substitution of the molecular target. The first three resistance mechanisms arise from mutations of certain genes on chromosomes. The fourth and fifth resistance mechanisms only occurs following intake of a transposon or plasmid coding for resistance.
Pharmacokinetics
Following oral administration of paromomycin, hardly any absorption takes place and the molecule is eliminated unchanged via the faeces.
Environmental properties
The active ingredient paromomycin sulfate is very persistent in the environment.