Final answer:
The 2nd line group 4 anti-TB drugs used for treating MDR-TB include aminoglycosides such as Amikacin and Kanamycin, and polypeptides like Capreomycin. These medications are crucial for managing drug-resistant TB strains and work by inhibiting protein synthesis in the bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 2nd line group 4 anti-TB drugs are part of the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment regimen. The World Health Organization recommends the following drugs from this group: aminoglycosides such as Amikacin and Kanamycin, and polypeptides like Capreomycin. These medications are typically reserved for cases where the first-line drugs have failed or when the patient has developed resistance to them. Amikacin and Kanamycin work by inhibiting protein synthesis in the tuberculosis bacteria, thereby halting its replication. Capreomycin also works by interfering with protein synthesis but is distinct in its structure and function from aminoglycosides. These second-line drugs are generally considered to have more side effects and require careful monitoring during treatment. With the rise of drug-resistant strains of TB, including MDR-TB and XDR-TB, the use of these drugs has become increasingly important in the effort to control and eliminate the disease.