Several toxicological considerations must be factored into the development of new antibiotics:
Mechanism of Action: Understanding the mechanism by which an antibiotic works helps predict potential toxicological pathways and side effects. Metabolic Pathways: Identifying how a drug is metabolized and excreted can indicate potential toxic metabolites or interactions with other drugs. Species-Specific Responses: Animal models are used to predict human responses, but differences in metabolism can lead to unexpected effects. Long-Term Effects: Chronic exposure studies are necessary to assess potential long-term toxicities, such as organ toxicity or carcinogenicity.
