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Kantrex: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Kantrex - General Information

An antibiotic produced by the soil actinomycete Streptomyces griseus. It acts by inhibiting the initiation and elongation processes during protein synthesis. [PubChem]

 

Pharmacology of Kantrex

Kantrex is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Aminoglycosides work by binding to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, causing misreading of t-RNA, leaving the bacterium unable to synthesize proteins vital to its growth. Aminoglycosides are useful primarily in infections involving aerobic, Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter. In addition, some mycobacteria, including the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, are susceptible to aminoglycosides. Infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria can also be treated with aminoglycosides, but other types of antibiotics are more potent and less damaging to the host. In the past the aminoglycosides have been used in conjunction with penicillin-related antibiotics in streptococcal infections for their synergistic effects, particularly in endocarditis. Aminoglycosides are mostly ineffective against anaerobic bacteria, fungi and viruses.

 

Additional information about Kantrex

Kantrex Indication

For the treatment of Tuberculosis

Mechanism Of Action
Aminoglycosides like Kantrex "irreversibly" bind to specific 30S-subunit proteins and 16S rRNA. Specifically Kantrex binds to four nucleotides of 16S rRNA and a single amino acid of protein S12. This interferes with decoding site in the vicinity of nucleotide 1400 in 16S rRNA of 30S subunit. This region interacts with the wobble base in the anticodon of tRNA. This leads to interference with the initiation complex, misreading of mRNA so incorrect amino acids are inserted into the polypeptide leading to nonfunctional or toxic peptides and the breakup of polysomes into nonfunctional monosomes.
Generic Name
Streptomycin
Synonyms
Streptomycin Sesquisulfate Hydrate; Streptomycin a Sulfate; Streptomycin Sulfate; Streptomycin Sulphate; Streptomycin, Sulfate Salt
Drug Category
Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aminoglycosides
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Streptomycin
Kantrex;
Toxicity (Overdose)
LD50=430 mg/kg (Orally in rats with Streptomycin Sulfate); Side effect include nausea, vomiting, and vertigo, paresthesia of face, rash, fever, urticaria, angioneurotic edema, and eosinophilia.
Dosage Forms of Kantrex
Powder, for solution Intramuscular
Chemical IUPAC Name
2-[(1S,2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-5-(diaminomethylideneamino)-2-[(2R,3R,4R,5S)-3-[(2S,3S,4S,5R,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methylaminooxan-2-yl]oxy-4-formyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyloxolan-2-yl]oxy-3,4,6-trihydroxycyclohexyl]guanidine
Chemical Formula
C21H39N7O12
Organisms Affected
Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria