Antibiotics are grouped based on their chemical structure, mechanism of action, and spectrum of activity. Here are the main groups of antibiotics:
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🔹 1. Beta-Lactam Antibiotics
Examples: Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, Monobactams
Mechanism: Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis
Notes: Most commonly used; can cause allergies
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🔹 2. Aminoglycosides
Examples: Gentamicin, Amikacin, Streptomycin, Tobramycin
Mechanism: Inhibit protein synthesis (30S ribosome)
Effective Against: Gram-negative bacteria
Side Effect: Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity
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🔹 3. Macrolides
Examples: Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin
Mechanism: Inhibit protein synthesis (50S ribosome)
Effective Against: Gram-positive and some atypicals
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🔹 4. Tetracyclines
Examples: Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline
Mechanism: Inhibit protein synthesis (30S ribosome)
Use: Broad spectrum, including atypicals
Caution: Not for children or pregnant women (teeth staining)
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🔹 5. Fluoroquinolones
Examples: Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin
Mechanism: Inhibit DNA gyrase/topoisomerase
Effective Against: Broad spectrum
Warning: Tendon rupture, QT prolongation
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🔹 6. Sulfonamides
Examples: Sulfamethoxazole (with trimethoprim = Co-trimoxazole)
Mechanism: Inhibit folic acid synthesis
Use: UTIs, Pneumocystis jirovecii
Allergy Risk: High
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🔹 7. Glycopeptides
Examples: Vancomycin, Teicoplanin
Mechanism: Inhibit cell wall synthesis (different site than beta-lactams)
Effective Against: Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA
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🔹 8. Lincosamides
Example: Clindamycin
Mechanism: Inhibit protein synthesis (50S ribosome)
Effective Against: Anaerobes, Gram-positives
Risk: C. difficile infection
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🔹 9. Oxazolidinones
Example: Linezolid
Mechanism: Inhibit protein synthesis
Use: MRSA, VRE
Rare but Serious Side Effects: Bone marrow suppression
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🔹 10. Polymyxins
Examples: Polymyxin B, Colistin
Mechanism: Disrupt bacterial cell membranes
Use: Multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
Toxicity: Nephrotoxic, neurotoxic
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