Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Top 10 List of Antibiotic Classes
Top 10 List of Antibiotic Classes
Antibiotics)
1. Penicillins
2. Tetracyclines
3. Cephalosporins
4. Quinolones
5. Lincomycins
6. Macrolides
7. Sulfonamides
8. Glycopeptides
9. Aminoglycosides
10. Carbapenems
2. Bronchitis
8. Traveler’s diarrhea
2. doxycycline
3. cephalexin
4. ciprofloxacin
5. clindamycin
6. metronidazole
7. azithromycin
10. levofloxacin
13. Amoxil
14. Cipro
15. Keflex
17. Levaquin
18. Zithromax
19. Avelox
20. Cleocin
1. Penicillins
Another name for this class is the beta-lactam antibiotics, referring to their
structural formula. The penicillin class contains five groups of
antibiotics: aminopenicillins, antipseudomonal penicillins, beta-lactamase
inhibitors, natural penicillins, and the penicillinase resistant penicillins.
amoxicillin Amoxil
ampicillin Unasyn
21.
2. Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum against many bacteria and treat conditions
such as acne, urinary tract infections (UTIs), intestinal tract infections, eye
infections, sexually transmitted diseases, periodontitis (gum disease), and
other bacterial infections. The tetracycline class contains drugs such as:
demeclocycline Declomycin
eravacycline Xerava
omadacycline Nuzyra
cefotaxime Claforan
cefuroxime Zinacef
The FDA has issued several strong warnings about this class due to potential
disabling side effects. Learn More: Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Drugs for
Systemic Use: Drug Safety Communication - Warnings Updated Due to
Disabling Side Effects
levofloxacin Levaquin
moxifloxacin Avelox
Several quinolones are also available in drop form to treat eye or ear
infections.
5. Lincomycins
This class has activity against gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes (bacteria
that can live without oxygen), as well as some gram-negative anaerobes. The
lincomycin derivatives may be used to treat serious infections like pelvic
inflammatory disease, intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory tract
infections, and bone and joint infections. Some forms are also used topically
on the skin to treat acne. These drugs include:
lincomycin Lincocin
6. Macrolides
The macrolides can be use to treat community-acquired pneumonia, pertussis
(whooping cough), or for uncomplicated skin infections, among other
susceptible infections. Ketolides are a newer generation of antibiotic
developed to overcome macrolide bacterial resistance. Frequently prescribed
macrolides are:
azithromycin Zithromax
clarithromycin Biaxin
sulfasalazine Azulfidine
8. Glycopeptide Antibiotics
Members of this group may be used for treating methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, complicated skin infections,
C. difficile-associated diarrhea, and enterococcal infections such as
endocarditis which are resistant to beta-lactams and other antibiotics.
Common drug names include:
dalbavancin Dalvance
oritavancin Orbactiv
telavancin Vibativ
amikacin Amikin
10. Carbapenems
These injectable beta-lactam antibiotics have a wide spectrum of bacteria-
killing power and may be used for moderate to life-threatening bacterial
infections like stomach infections, pneumonias, kidney infections, multidrug-
resistant hospital-acquired infections and many other types of serious
bacterial illnesses. They are often saved for more serious infections or used as
"last-line" agents to help prevent resistance. Members of this class include:
meropenem Merrem
ertapenem Invanz
Are There Any Over-the-Counter
Antibiotics?
Over-the-counter (OTC) oral antibiotics are not approved in the U.S. A
bacterial infection is best treated with a prescription antibiotic that is specific
for the type of bacteria causing the infection. Using a specific antibiotic will
increase the chances that the infection is cured and help to prevent antibiotic
resistance. In addition, a lab culture may need to be performed to pinpoint the
bacteria and to help select the best antibiotic. Taking the wrong antibiotic --
or not enough -- may worsen the infection and prevent the antibiotic from
working the next time.
There are a few over-the-counter topical antibiotics that can be used on the
skin. Some products treat or prevent minor cuts, scrapes or burns on the skin
that may get infected with bacteria. These are available in creams, ointments,
and even sprays.
There are some OTC antibacterials for treating acne, too. They contain the
antibacterial benzoyl peroxide, which also has mild drying effect for acne.
Many products are found on the pharmacy shelves as gels, lotions, solutions,
foams, cleaning pads, and even facial scrubs.
• Oxy-10
• Proactiv