antibiotics

Antibiotics

• Definition

  • Drugs used to treat bacterial infections by either killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria

• Types

  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics

  • Narrow-spectrum antibiotics

• Mechanism of action

  • Inhibition of cell wall synthesis

  • Inhibition of protein synthesis

  • Inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis

  • Disruption of cell membrane function

• Common antibiotics

  • Penicillins

  • Cephalosporins

  • Macrolides

  • Tetracyclines

  • Fluoroquinolones

• Resistance

  • Development of resistance due to overuse/misuse of antibiotics

  • Ways bacteria develop resistance

• Importance of proper use

  • Completing full course of antibiotics

  • Not sharing antibiotics

  • Not using antibiotics for viral infections

• Side effects

  • Allergic reactions

  • Diarrhea

  • Nausea

• Future of antibiotics

  • Research on new antibiotics

  • Combating antibiotic resistance through stewardship and development of new drugs

• Antibiotics:

  • Target bacterial infections

  • Types: bactericidal, bacteriostatic

  • Common classes: penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides

  • Side effects: allergic reactions, GI disturbances

  • Resistance: misuse leads to antibiotic resistance