Streptomycin single dose is more effective than multiple small doses because it is –
**Core Concept**
Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis. Its effectiveness is influenced by its pharmacokinetics, particularly its concentration and duration of action in the body.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is that streptomycin single dose is more effective than multiple small doses because it achieves a higher peak concentration in the body, which is necessary for optimal bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This is due to the drug's pharmacokinetic profile, which allows for a rapid increase in concentration after a single dose, followed by a prolonged elimination half-life.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because the peak concentration and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) are not directly related to the bacteriostatic effect of streptomycin, which is the primary mechanism of action in treating tuberculosis.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because the volume of distribution (Vd) does not directly influence the effectiveness of streptomycin in treating tuberculosis.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because the elimination half-life of streptomycin does not directly correlate with its effectiveness in treating tuberculosis.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Aminoglycoside antibiotics like streptomycin exhibit concentration-dependent bactericidal activity, meaning that higher peak concentrations are more effective in killing bacteria.
**Correct Answer:** A. Concentration-dependent bactericidal activity