Antibiotics by class

Generic name

Brand names

Common uses[2]

Possible side

Mechanism of

effects[2]

action

Aminoglycosides

Amikacin
Gentamicin

Amikin
Garamycin

Infections caused

Binding to the

by Gram-negative

bacterial30S ribo

bacteria, such

somal subunit

asEscherichia

(some work by

Kanamycin

Kantrex

coli and Klebsiellapartic

Neomycin

Neo-Fradin[3]

binding to

ularly Pseudomonas

the 50S subunit),

Netilmicin

Netromycin

aeruginosa. Effective

Tobramycin

Nebcin

against Aerobic

anaerobes)
and tularemia. All
aminoglicocydes are
Humatin

ineffective to be taken

Hearin
g loss

bacteria (not
obligate/facultative

Paromomycin

Vertigo

Kidney
damage

inhibiting the
translocation of
the peptidyltRNA from the Asite to the P-site
and also causing
misreading of
mRNA, leaving

orally. Intravenous,

the bacterium

intramuscular and

unable to

topical should be

synthesize

applied.

proteins vital to
its growth.

Streptomycin
Spectinomycin(B
s)

Tuberculosis
Trobicin

Gonorrhea
Ansamycins

Geldanamycin

Experimental,

Herbimycin

as antitumor antibiotics

Rifaximin

Xifaxan

Traveler's

diarrhea caused byE.

coli
Carbacephem
prevents
bacterial cell
Loracarbef

Lorabid

Discontinued

division by
inhibiting cell
wall synthesis.

Carbapenems
Ertapenem

Invanz

Doripenem

Doribax

Imipenem/Cilasta
tin

Gastro
intestinal
upset and

Primaxin

diarrhea
Bactericidal for both
Gram-positive and

Gram-negative

Nause
a

organisms and
therefore useful for

es

empiric broad-spectrum
Meropenem

antibacterial coverage.

Merrem

(Note MRSA resistance

Seizur

Inhibition of cell
wall synthesis

Heada
che

to this class.)

Rash
and
allergic
reactions

Cephalosporins (First generation)

Cefadroxil

Duricef

Cefazolin

Ancef

Cefalotin or Cefal

Keflin(discontin

othin

ued)

Cefalexin

Keflex

Good coverage against

Gram-positive

Same mode of

infections.

Gastro

action as

intestinal

other beta-

upset and

lactam

diarrhea

antibiotics:

Nause
a (if

disrupt the
synthesis of

thepeptidoglycan l
alcohol

ayer of

taken

bacterial cell walls.

concurrently
)
Cephalosporins (Second generation)
Cefaclor
Cefamandole

Cefoxitin
Cefprozil

Distaclor

Mandol(disconti

Gastro
intestinal

nued)

upset and

Mefoxin(discont

diarrhea

inued)
Cefzil

Less Gram-positive

Nause
a (if

cover, improved Gram-

alcohol

negative cover.

taken
concurrent

Cefuroxime

Ceftin, Zinnat(U

ly)

action as
other betalactam
antibiotics:
disrupt the
synthesis of
thepeptidoglycan
layer of
bacterial cell

K)

Same mode of

Allergi

walls.

c
reactions
Cephalosporins (Third generation)
Cefixime (antago
nistic with

Improved coverage of
Cefspan

Gram-negative

Same mode of

Gastro

action as

Chloramphenicol) (Fujisawa)

organisms,

intestinal

[4]

exceptPseudomonas.

upset and

lactam

Reduced Gram-positive

diarrhea

antibiotics:

Cefdinir

Cefditoren

Omnicef,
Cefdiel
Spectracef,
Meiact

Cefoperazone [U

Cefobid(disconti

nlike most third-

nued)

cover. But still not

cover Mycoplasma and
Chlamydia

Nause
a (if
alcohol
taken
concurrent

other beta-

disrupt the
synthesis of
thepeptidoglycan
layer of
bacterial cell

generation

walls.
ly)

agents,
cefoperazone is

active

reactions

againstPseudom
onas
aeruginosa],
combination
Cefoperazone
withSulbactam m
akes more
effective
antibiotic,
because
Sulbactam avoid
degeneration of
Cefoperazone
Cefotaxime

Claforan

Cefpodoxime

Vantin

Ceftazidime [Unli
ke most thirdgeneration
agents,
ceftazidime is
active
against Pseudom
onas aeruginosa,

Allergic

Fortaz

but less active

against
staphylococci
and streptococci
compare to other
3rd generation of
Cephalosporins][5]
Ceftibuten

Cedax

Ceftizoxime

Cefizox

(discontinued)
Ceftriaxone [IV
and IM, not orally,
effective also
for syphilisand

Rocephin

uncomplicated go
norrhea]
Cephalosporins (Fourth generation)

Gastro
intestinal
upset and
diarrhea

Cefepime

Maxipime

Nause

Covers pseudomonal

a (if

infections.

alcohol
taken
concurrent
ly)

Same mode of
action as
other betalactam
antibiotics:
disrupt the
synthesis of
thepeptidoglycan
layer of
bacterial cell

Allergi

walls.

c
reactions
Cephalosporins (Fifth generation)
Same mode of
action as

Gastro
intestinal

Ceftaroline
fosamil

Teflaro

upset and

Used to treat MRSA

diarrhea

Allergi
c reaction

other betalactam
antibiotics:
disrupt the
synthesis of
thepeptidoglycan
layer of
bacterial cell
walls.

Gastro
intestinal
upset and

Used to

diarrhea

treat MRSA(methicillinresistantStaphylococcu
Ceftobiprole

Zeftera

Nause

s aureus), penicillin-

a (if

resistantStreptococcus

alcohol

pneumoniae,Pseudom

taken

onas aeruginosa, and

concurrent

enterococci

ly)

Same mode of
action as
other betalactam
antibiotics:
disrupt the
synthesis of
thepeptidoglycan
layer of
bacterial cell

Allergi

walls.

c
reactions
Glycopeptides
Teicoplanin

Targocid (UK)

Vancomycin

Vancocin

Telavancin

Vibativ

Dalbavancin

Dalvance

Oritavancin

Orbactiv

Active against aerobic

and anaerobic Grampositive bacteria

Inhibits peptidogl

including MRSA;

ycansynthesis.

Vancomycin is used
orally for the treatment
of C. difficile
Lincosamides(Bs)

Clindamycin

Lincomycin

Cleocin

Lincocin

Serious staph-,

Binds to 50S

pneumo-, and

Possible C.

subunit of

streptococcal infections

difficile-

bacterial

in penicillin-allergic

relatedpseudo

ribosomal RNAth

patients, also anaerobic membranous

ereby inhibiting

infections; clindamycin

protein

topically for acne

enterocolitis

synthesis.

Lipopeptide
Daptomycin

Cubicin

Gram-positive organis

Binds to the

ms, but is inhibited by

membrane and

pulmonarysurfactant so

cause rapid

depolarization,
resulting in a
loss of
less effective against

membrane

pneumonias

potential leading
to inhibition of
protein, DNA and
RNA synthesis.

Macrolides(Bs)
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Dirithromycin

Erythromycin

Zithromax,Sum

Inhibition of

amed,Xithrone

biosynthesis by

vomiting,

Dynabac(discon

binding

and

tinued)

reversibly to the

diarrhea

Biaxin

subunit 50S of
(especially the
at higher
bacterial ribosom

Erythocin,Erythr
oped

doses)
Streptococcal
infections,syphilis, uppe

Prolon

r respiratory tract

ged

infections, lower

cardiacQT

respiratory tract

interval(es

infections, mycoplasmal

pecially

infections, Lyme

erythromy

disease

cin)

Tao

(discontinued)

Hearin
g loss
(especially
at higher
doses)

Jaundi
ce

Telithromycin

bacterialprotein

a,

Roxithromycin

Troleandomycin

Nause

Ketek

Pneumonia

Visual
Disturbance,

e, thereby
inhibiting
translocation of
peptidyltRNA.

Liver Toxicity.[6]
Spiramycin

Rovamycine

Mouth infections
Monobactams
Same mode of
action as
other betalactam
antibiotics:

Aztreonam

Azactam

Gram-negative bacteria

disrupt the
synthesis of
thepeptidoglycan
layer of
bacterial cell
walls.

Nitrofurans
Bacterial
Furazolidone

Furoxone

or protozoal diarrheaor
enteritis

Nitrofurantoin(Bs)

Macrodantin,Ma
crobid

Urinary tract infections

Oxazolidinones(Bs)
Protein synthesis

Throm
bocytopen

prevents the

ia

initiation step

Linezolid

Zyvox

Periph
eral

VRSA

neuropath
y

Seroto
nin
Syndrome

Posizolid

Phase II clinical

inhibitor;

trials
Radezolid

Torezolid

Phase II clinical
trials
Phase II clinical
trials
Penicillins

Amoxicillin

Ampicillin

Novamox,Amox
il
Principen
(discontinued)

Azlocillin
Carbenicillin

Cloxacillin

Dicloxacillin

Geocillin

Methicillin

Nafcillin

Oxacillin

Penicillin G
Penicillin V

Gastro

used forstreptococcal

other beta-

infections,syphilis,

upset and

lactam

and Lyme disease

diarrhea

antibiotics:

Allergy
with
seriousan
aphylactic

(discontinued)

reactions

Dynapen
(discontinued)

to European
generics

Mezlin
(discontinued)
Staphcillin
(discontinued)
Unipen
(discontinued)
Prostaphlin
(discontinued)
Pentids
(discontinued)
Veetids (Pen-

action as

intestinal

Tegopen

Actavis Group)
Mezlocillin

infections; penicillin

Same mode of

(discontinued)

Floxapen (Sold
Flucloxacillin

Wide range of

Brain
and
kidney
damage
(rare)

disrupt the
synthesis of
thepeptidoglycan
layer of
bacterial cell
walls.

Vee-K)
(discontinued)
Piperacillin
Penicillin G
Temocillin

Ticarcillin

Pipracil
(discontinued)
Pfizerpen
Negaban (UK)
(discontinued)
Ticar
(discontinued)
Penicillin combinations
Both
Amoxicillin/clavulanate
and
Ampicillin/sulbactam
are effective against
non-recurrent
acute otitis
media[7] Only a

Amoxicillin/clavul
anate

few oral-antibiotics
Augmentin

active for skin and soft

tissue infections, one of

The second

it is

component

Amoxicillin/clavulanate.

prevents

Not to be given to

bacterialresistan

children with less than

ce to the first

40 kilograms weight, for

component

children are heavier,

the dosage is same
with adult, twice daily[8]
Ampicillin/sulbact
am
Piperacillin/tazob
actam
Ticarcillin/clavula
nate

Unasyn

Zosyn

Timentin

Polypeptides
Inhibits isoprenyl
pyrophosphate,
a molecule that
carries the
building blocks
Bacitracin

of
thepeptidoglycan
bacterialcell
wall outside of
the inner
membrane[9]

Colistin

Coly-Mycin-S

Interact with the

Eye, ear or bladder

Gram-negative b

infections; usually

acterial outer

applied directly to the

membrane andc

eye or inhaled into the

lungs; rarely given by

Kidney and

injection, although the

nerve damage

use of intravenous

(when given

colistin is experiencing

by injection)

a resurgence due to the

emergence of multi
drug
resistant organisms.
Polymyxin B

ytoplasmic
membrane,
displacing
bacterial
counterions,
which
destabilizes the
outer membrane.
Act like a
detergent
against the
cytoplasmic
membrane,
which alters its
permeability.
Polymyxin B and
E are
bactericidal even
in an isosmotic
solution.

Quinolones/Fluoroquinolone

Ciprofloxacin

Cipro,Ciproxin,
Ciprobay

Enoxacin

Penetrex

Gatifloxacin

Tequin

infections,bacterial

Gemifloxacin

Factive[10]

prostatitis, community-

Levofloxacin

Levaquin

Lomefloxacin

Maxaquin

diarrhea,mycoplasmal

Moxifloxacin

Avelox

infections,gonorrhea

Nalidixic acid

NegGram

Norfloxacin

Noroxin

Urinary tract

acquiredpneumonia, ba
cterial

Floxin
Ofloxacin

(discontinued),

Nausea (rare),

Inhibits the

irreversible

bacterial DNA

damage

gyrase or

tocentral

thetopoisomeras

nervous

e IV enzyme,

system(uncom

thereby

mon),

inhibitingDNA re

tendinosis

plication and

(rare)

transcription.

Ocuflox
Trovafloxacin

Trovan

Withdrawn

Grepafloxacin

Raxar

Withdrawn

Sparfloxacin

Zagam

Withdrawn

Temafloxacin

Omniflox

Withdrawn
Sulfonamides(Bs)

Mafenide
Sulfacetamide
Sulfadiazine
Silver
sulfadiazine
Sulfadimethoxine
Sulfamethizole
Sulfamethoxazol
e
Sulfanilimide (arc

Sulfamylon
Sulamyd,
Bleph-10
Micro-Sulfon
Silvadene
Di-Methox,

Urinary tract
infections (except

Folate

synthesisinhibitio

sulfacetamide, used

a,

n. They

for eye infections, and

vomiting,

arecompetitive

mafenide and silver

and

inhibitors of the

sulfadiazine, used

diarrhea

enzymedihydropt

topically for burns)

Allergy
(including

Albon

skin

Thiosulfil Forte
Gantanol

Nause

rashes)

Crystal
s in urine

eroate
synthetase,
DHPS. DHPS
catalyses the
conversion of
PABA (paraaminobenzoate)
todihydropteroat

haic)
Sulfasalazine

Azulfidine

Sulfisoxazole

Gantrisin

Trimethoprim-

e, a key step

Sulfamethoxazol
e(Co-

Bactrim, Septra

Kidney
failure

trimoxazole)
(TMP-SMX)

Decreas
e in white
blood

Sulfonamidochry
soidine(archaic)

in folate synthesis.
Folate is
necessary for the
cell to
synthesizenucleic
acids (nucleic

Prontosil
Tetracyclines(Bs)

Demeclocycline

Declomycin

Doxycycline

Vibramycin

Minocycline

Minocin

Oxytetracycline

Terramycin

Tetracycline

Sumycin,Achro
mycin V, Steclin

Syphilis, chlamydial infe

ctions,Lyme

Inhibits the

Gastro

binding

disease, mycoplasmal

intestinal

ofaminoacyl-

infections,

upset

tRNA to

acne rickettsialinfection
s, *malaria *Note:

vity to

Malaria is caused by

sunlight

a protistand not a
bacterium.

Sensiti

Potenti
al toxicity
to mother
and fetus
during
pregnancy

themRNAribosomecomple
x. They do so
mainly by
binding to
the30S
ribosomal
subunit in
the mRNA
translationcompl
ex. But

Ename Tetracycline
cannot be taken

hypoplasia
(staining
of teeth;

together with all

dairy products,
aluminium, iron
and zinc

minerals.
potentially
permanent)

Drugs against mycobacteria

Clofazimine

Lamprene

Antileprotic

Dapsone

Avlosulfon

Antileprotic

Capreomycin

Capastat

Antituberculosis

Cycloserine

Seromycin

Ethambutol(Bs)

Myambutol

Antituberculosis

Ethionamide

Trecator

Antituberculosis

Isoniazid

I.N.H.

Antituberculosis

Pyrazinamide

Aldinamide

Antituberculosis

transient

Antituberculosis, urinar
y tract infections

Inhibits peptide
synthesis

ReddishRifampicin (Rifa

Rifadin,

mostly Gram-positive a

orange sweat,

mpin in US)

Rimactane

ndmycobacteria

tears, and
urine

Binds to the
subunit ofRNA
polymerase to
inhibit
transcription

Rash,
Rifabutin

Mycobutin

Mycobacterium

discolored

avium complex

urine, GI
symptoms

Rifapentine

Streptomycin

Priftin

Antituberculosis

Antituberculosis

Others

Neurotoxicity,o
totoxicity

As
other aminoglyco
sides

Arsphenamine

Salvarsan

Spirochaetal infections
(obsolete)
Meningitis, MRSA,

Inhibits bacterial

topical use, or for lowChloramphenicol(

Bs)

Chloromycetin

cost internal treatment.

Rarely: aplasti

Historic: typhus,cholera

c anemia.

. Gram-negative, Gram-

Fusidic acid

Monurol,
Monuril

Acute cystitis in women

by binding to the
50S subunit of
the ribosome

positive, anaerobes

Fosfomycin

protein synthesis

This antibiotic

Inactivates enolp

is not

yruvyl

recommended

transferase,

for children

thereby

and 75 up of

blocking cell

age

wallsynthesis

Fucidin
Produces
toxic free
radicals that

Infections caused
Metronidazole

Flagyl

by anaerobic bacteria;
also amoebiasis,tricho
moniasis, giardiasis

Discolored

disrupt DNA and

urine,headach

proteins. This

e, metallic

non-specific

taste, nausea;

mechanism is

alcoholis

responsible for

contraindicate

its activity

against a variety
of bacteria,
amoebae, and
protozoa.
Inhibits
isoleucine t-RNA

Mupirocin

Bactroban

Ointment for impetigo, c

synthetase

reamfor infected cuts

(IleRS) causing
inhibition of
protein synthesis

Platensimycin

Quinupristin/Dalf
opristin

Synercid
A
chloramphenicol
Gram-negative, Grampositive,anaerobes.

Thiamphenicol

Widely used in
veterinary medicine.

Rash. Lacks
known anemic
side-effects.

analog. May
inhibit bacterial
protein synthesis
by binding to the
50S subunit of
the ribosome

Slowly Intravenous.
Indicated for
complicated skin/skin
structure infections, soft
tissues infections and
complicated intraabdominal infections.
Effective for gram
positive and negative
Tigecycline(Bs)

Tigacyl

and also anaerob

antibiotics, against
multi-resistant
antibiotics bacteries
such asStaphylococcus
aureus(MRSA)
and Acinetobacter
baumannii, but not
effective
for Pseudomonas spp.
andProteus spp.

Teeth
discoloration
and same side
effects
as tetracycline
. Not to be
given for
children and
pregnant or
lactate
women.
Relatively safe
and no need
dose adjusted
when be given
for mild to
moderate liver
function or
renal patients
Upset

Tinidazole

Tindamax
Fasigyn

Protozoal infections

stomach, bitter
taste, and
itchiness

Trimethoprim(Bs)

Proloprim,
Trimpex

Urinary tract infections

Similar structure
with tetracycline,
but 5 times
stronger, big
volume
distribution and
long half-time in
the body

Generic Name

Brand Names

Common Uses[2]

Possible Side

Mechanism of

Effects

action

[2]

Note: (Bs): Bacteriostatic

Antibiotic candidates[edit]
Separately are listed antibiotic candidates, and known antibiotics not yet mass produced.
Antibiotic candidates

Generic
name

Origin

Susceptible phyla

Stage of

Mechanism of

development

action

Unclassified

Teixobactin

Eleftheria
terrae

Gram-positive, including
antibiotic resistant S.
aureusand M. tuberculosis

No human trials
scheduled

Binds fatty acid

precursors to cell
wall