An antibiotic is a chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits or abolishes the growth of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans.

The term originally referred to any agent with biological activity against living organisms; however, "antibiotic" now is used to refer to substances with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, or anti-parasitical activity. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071014015319AALkTEQ
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria. The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic(s); today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic(s) has come to denote a broader range of antimicrobial compounds, including antifungal and other compounds.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibacterial Sources Waksmans 1951 definition of antibiotics was limited to substances produced microorganisms. The term antibacterial is consequently used to include those active compounds prepared synthetically or isolated from higher plants. Most of the clinically used antibiotics are produced by soil microorganisms or fungi. Classification of Antibiotics Although there are several classification schemes for antibiotics, based on bacterial spectrum (broad versus narrow) or route of administration (injectable versus oral versus topical), or type of activity (bactericidal vs. bacteriostatic), the most useful is based on chemical structure. Antibiotics within a structural class will generally show similar patterns of effectiveness, toxicity, and allergic potential.

Classes 1. Penicillins
Penicillin antibiotics are historically significant because they are the first drugs that were effective against many previously serious diseases, such as syphilis, and infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci. Penicillins are still widely used today, though many types of bacteria are now resistant. All penicillins are -lactam antibiotics and are used in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible, usually Gram-positive, organisms. Sources (in general) Various Penicillium spp. (fungi)

3 Major Types

Description They are obtained directly from the Penicillium mold and do not require further modification.

Examples Penicillin G (Benzylpenicillin) Penicillin V (Phenoxymethyl penicillin)

Natural Penicillin

Aminopenicillin

The aminopenicillins have a wider range of activity than natural penicillins. However, they lack the bulky side groups and are susceptible to inactivation by beta-lactamases. It has the ability to fight the bacteria and resist destruction by penicillinase.

Amoxicillin Ampicillin Bacampicillin Cloxacillin Dicloxacillin Methicillin Oxacillin Nafcillin

PenicillinaseResistant Penicillin

Natural Penicillins Penicillin G (Benzylpenicillin) Penicillin V. Penicillin G, also known as, is not stable in an acidic environment, such as in the stomach. Therefore, this penicillin is usually administered by injection although it does come in pill form. Penicillin V is more acid-resistant and is normally taken orally. These natural penicillins are highly effective against gram-positive bacteria (type of bacteria with a thick layer of peptidologlycan in the cell wall for the penicillin to attack) such as streptococci and staphylococci according to information published on The Microbial World. Natural penicillins in general are ineffective against gramnegative bacteria, except they do show some effectiveness against the meningococci that cause bacterial meningitis. They are also not effective against mycobacterium, such as mycobacterium tuberculosis that causes tuberculosis. Aminopenicillins Because the natural penicillins were limited in use against all types of bacteria, scientists started experimenting to find new modifications. The natural penicillins were chemically changed and with the addition of an amino group (a functional group that contains nitrogen) the aminopenicillins were founded. These semi-synthetic medications, meaning they are derived from a natural product by chemically changing the structure, are considered "broad-range" antibiotics because they are effective against the gram-positive bacteria as well as many of the gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli, Klebsiella and Haemophilus. The addition of the amino group enables the medication to penetrate the outer membranes of the gram-negative bacteria. The group of aminopenicillins includes amoxicillin, ampicillin and bacampicillin. Although aminopenicillins are not as active as the natural penicillins, their expanded spectrum of effectiveness makes them medically useful. The aminopenicillins are also tolerant of acid and can therefore be taken orally. Penicillinase-Resistant Pencillins

There are some strains of bacteria, specifically those in the staphylococcal species, are resistant to the effects of penicillin. The resistance is due to their production of penicillinase, an enzyme produced by the bacteria that inhibits the actions of penicillin. New penicillins, known as penicillinase-resistant penicillins, were needed that had the ability to fight the bacteria and resist destruction by penicillinase. These medications, including cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, methicillin and oxacillin, are very effective in treating these gram-positive cocci bacteria in the Staphylococcal group but are not the best pills to choose for other bacteria due to their lower level of activity compared to other penicillins.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/73662-types-penicillin-pills/
Cephalosphorins Cephalosporins are indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of infections caused by bacteria susceptible to this particular form of antibiotic. First-generation cephalosporins are active predominantly against Gram-positive bacteria, and successive generations have increased activity against Gram-negative bacteria (albeit often with reduced activity against Gram-positive organisms).

Source (in general) fungus Acremonium, which was previously known as "Cephalosporium"

Generations of Cephalosphorins The cephalosporin nucleus can be modified to gain different properties. Cephalosporins are sometimes grouped into "generations" by their antimicrobial properties. The first cephalosporins were designated first-generation cephalosporins, whereas, later, more extendedspectrum cephalosporins were classified as second-generation cephalosporins. Each newer generation of cephalosporins has significantly greater Gram-negative antimicrobial properties than the preceding generation, in most cases with decreased activity against Gram-positive organisms. Fourth-generation cephalosporins, however, have true broad-spectrum activity.

Cephalosporins (First generation) Same mode of action Gastrointestin as other beta-lactam al upset and antibiotics: disrupt the synthesis of diarrhea the peptidoglycan lay Nausea (if er of bacterial cell alcohol taken walls.

Cefadroxil

Duricef Good coverage Ancef against Gram (discontinue positive infections. d)

Cefazolin

Cefalotin or Cefalothi Keflin

(discontinue d) Keflex

concurrently)

Allergic reactions

Cefalexin

Cephalosporins (Second generation) Cefaclor Cefamandole Distaclor Mandol (discontinue d)

Gastrointestin al upset and diarrhea Nausea (if alcohol taken concurrently) Allergic reactions Same mode of action as other beta-lactam antibiotics: disrupt the synthesis of the peptidoglycan lay er of bacterial cell walls.

Cefoxitin Cefprozil Cefuroxime

Less gram positive Mefoxin cover, improved (discontinue gram negative cover. d) Cefzil Ceftin, Zinnat (UK)

Cephalosporins (Third generation) Cefixime Cefdinir Cefditoren Cefoperazone Cefotaxime Cefpodoxime Ceftazidime Ceftibuten Ceftizoxime Ceftriaxone Suprax Omnicef, Cefdiel Spectracef

Gastrointestin al upset and diarrhea Nausea (if alcohol taken concurrently) Allergic reactions Same mode of action as other beta-lactam antibiotics: disrupt the synthesis of the peptidoglycan lay er of bacterial cell walls.

Cefobid (discontinue Improved coverage d) of Gram negative organisms, Claforan except Pseudomona Vantin s. Reduced Gram positive cover. Fortaz

Cedax Cefizox (discontinue d) Rocephin

Cephalosporins (Fourth generation)

Cefepime

Maxipime

Covers pseudomonal

Gastrointestin Same mode of action as other beta-lactam al upset and antibiotics: disrupt the diarrhea

infections.

Nausea (if alcohol taken concurrently)

synthesis of the peptidoglycan lay er of bacterial cell walls.

Allergic reactions

Cephalosporins (Fifth generation)

Gastrointestin al upset and diarrhea

Ceftaroline fosamil

Teflaro

Used to treat MRSA

Allergic reaction

Same mode of action as other beta-lactam antibiotics: disrupt the synthesis of the peptidoglycan lay er of bacterial cell walls.

Ceftobiprole

Zeftera

Used to treat MRSA