spectinomycin
/ˌspɛktɪnə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪsɪn
/noun [mass noun] Medicine
A bacterial antibiotic used as an alternative to penicillin.
- The drug is obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces spectabilis.
- In Streptomyces, myo-inositol is used in the synthesis of antibiotics, such as spectinomycin.
- If the condition does not clear up after treatment by traditional antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe stronger variations such as quinolene, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime or spectinomycin.
Origin
1960s: from the specific epithet spectabilis (see above), literally 'visible, remarkable' + -mycin.