| An antibiotic is a drug that kills or | | | | surgical prophylaxis. Cephalosporins are |
| slows the growth of bacteria. | | | | closely related to the |
| Antibiotics are one class of | | | | penicillins.Cephalosporins have a |
| antimicrobials, a larger group which | | | | bacteriocidal effect by inhibiting the |
| also includes anti-viral, anti-fungal, | | | | synthesis of the bacteria cell wall.The |
| and anti-parasitic drugs. Antibiotics | | | | most commonly-prescribed cephalosporins: |
| are chemicals produced by or derived | | | | |
| from microorganisms (i.e. bugs or germs | | | | |
| such as bacteria and fungi). The first | | | | First generation |
| antibiotic was discovered by Alexander | | | | |
| Fleming in 1928 in a significant | | | | cephazolin |
| breakthrough for medical | | | | cefadroxil |
| science.Antibiotics are among the most | | | | cephalexin |
| frequently prescribed medications in | | | | cephradine |
| modern medicine. | | | | |
| Some antibiotics are 'bactericidal', | | | | Second generation |
| meaning that they work by killing | | | | |
| bacteria. Other antibiotics are | | | | cefaclor |
| 'bacteriostatic', meaning that they work | | | | cefuroxime |
| by stopping bacteria multiplying.Each | | | | cefprozil |
| different type of antibiotic affects | | | | loracarbef |
| different bacteria in different ways. | | | | |
| For example, an antibiotic might inhibit | | | | Third generation |
| a bacterium's ability to turn glucose | | | | |
| into energy, or its ability to construct | | | | cefotaxime |
| its cell wall. When this happens, the | | | | cefixime |
| bacterium dies instead of | | | | cefpodoxime |
| reproducing.Some antibiotics can be used | | | | ceftazidime |
| to treat a wide range of infections and | | | | cefdinir |
| are known as 'broad-spectrum' | | | | |
| antibiotics. Others are only effective | | | | Fourth generation |
| against a few types of bacteria and are | | | | |
| called 'narrow-spectrum' | | | | cefepime |
| antibiotics.Side effects of | | | | cefpirome |
| antibioticsAntibiotics can literally | | | | |
| save lives and are effective in treating | | | | FluoroquinolonesFluoroquinolones are |
| illnesses caused by bacterial | | | | known as broad-spectrum antibiotics, |
| infections. However, like all drugs, | | | | meaning they are effective against many |
| they have the potential to cause | | | | bacteria. Fluoroquinolones are used to |
| unwanted side effects. Many of these | | | | treat most common urinary tract |
| side effects are not dangerous, although | | | | infections, skin infections, and |
| they can make life miserable while the | | | | respiratory infections (such as |
| drug is being taken.In general, | | | | sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis). |
| antibiotics rarely cause serious side | | | | Common side effects of fluoroquinolones |
| effects. The most common side effects | | | | include mainly the digestive system: |
| from antibiotics are diarrhea, nausea, | | | | mild stomach pain or upset, nausea, |
| vomiting. Fungal infections of the | | | | vomiting, and diarrhea. These are |
| mouth, digestive tract and vagina can | | | | usually mild and go away over time. |
| also occur with antibiotics because they | | | | Fluoroquinolones should not be given |
| destroy the protective 'good' bacteria | | | | during pregnancy.Fluoroquinolones |
| in the body (which help prevent | | | | inhibit bacteria by interfering with |
| overgrowth of any one organism), as well | | | | their ability to make DNA. This activity |
| as the 'bad' ones, responsible for the | | | | makes it difficult for bacteria to |
| infection being treated.Some people are | | | | multiply. This effect is |
| allergic to antibiotics, particularly | | | | bacteriocidal.The most |
| penicillins. Allergic reactions cause | | | | commonly-prescribed fluoroquinolones: |
| swelling of the face, itching and a skin | | | | |
| rash and, in severe cases, breathing | | | | ciprofloxacin |
| difficulties. Allergic reactions require | | | | gatifloxacin |
| prompt treatment.Types of | | | | gemifloxacin |
| antibioticsThere are many different | | | | levofloxacin |
| kinds of antibiotics. The type of | | | | moxifloxacin |
| antibiotics you take depends on the type | | | | norfloxacin |
| of infection you have and what kind of | | | | ofloxacin |
| antibiotics are known to be | | | | trovafloxacin |
| effective.The main classes of | | | | PenicillinsPenicillin was the first |
| antibiotics: | | | | antibiotic discovered by Alexander |
| | | | Fleming in 1929. Penicillins are used to |
| Aminoglycosides | | | | treat skin infections, dental |
| Cephalosporins | | | | infections, ear infections, respiratory |
| Fluoroquinolones | | | | tract infections, urinary tract |
| Macrolides | | | | infections, gonorrhea. Penicillins are |
| Penicillins | | | | sometimes combined with other |
| Tetracyclines | | | | ingredients called beta-lactamase |
| MacrolidesThere are a couple of new | | | | inhibitors, which protect the penicillin |
| relatives of erythromycin (azithromycin | | | | from bacterial enzymes that may destroy |
| and clarithromycin) that work the same | | | | it before it can do its work.Penicillins |
| way, but kill more bugs and have | | | | are usually very safe. The greatest risk |
| slightly fewer side effects. The | | | | is an allergic reaction, which can be |
| erythromycin-like antibiotics are also | | | | severe. People who have been allergic to |
| known as macrolides. Macrolides belong | | | | cephalosporins are likely to be allergic |
| to the polyketide class of natural | | | | to penicillins.Penicillins block the |
| products. Macrolide antibiotics are used | | | | construction of bacteria cell walls, |
| to treat respiratory tract infections, | | | | causing the walls to break down, and |
| genital, gastrointestinal tract, soft | | | | eventually killing the bacteria.The most |
| tissue infections caused by susceptible | | | | commonly-prescribed penicillins: |
| strains of specific bacteria.Macrolides | | | | |
| bind with ribosomes from susceptible | | | | amoxicillin |
| bacteria to prevent protein production. | | | | ampicillin |
| This action is mainly bacteriostatic, | | | | bacampicillin |
| but can also be bactericidal in high | | | | oxacillin |
| concentrations.Macrolides cause very | | | | penicillin |
| little allergy problems compared to the | | | | Tetracyclines Tetracyclines are a |
| penicillins and cephalosporins, the | | | | family of antibiotics used to treat a |
| biggest concern with these medicines is | | | | broad spectrum of bacterial infections. |
| that they can irritate the stomach.The | | | | Tetracyclines were discovered in the |
| most commonly-prescribed macrolides: | | | | late 1940s and were extremely popular |
| | | | when they were first discovered. The |
| erythromycin | | | | tetracycline antibiotics have a very |
| clarithromycin | | | | broad spectrum of action.Tetracyclines |
| azithromycin | | | | are used to treat mild acne, Rocky |
| roxithromycin | | | | Mountain spotted fever, Lyme Disease, |
| Aminoglycosides Aminoglycoside | | | | upper respiratory tract infections, |
| antibiotics are used to treat infections | | | | urinary tract infections, sexually |
| caused by gram-negative bacteria. | | | | transmitted diseases, typhus.The most |
| Aminoglycosides may be used along with | | | | commonly-prescribed tetracyclines: |
| penicillins or cephalosporins to give a | | | | |
| two-pronged attack on the bacteria. | | | | tetracycline |
| Aminoglycosides work quite well, but | | | | doxycycline |
| bacteria can become resistant to them. | | | | minocycline |
| Since aminoglycosides are broken down | | | | Antibiotic resistanceAntibiotics are |
| easily in the stomach, they can't be | | | | extremely important in medicine, but |
| given by mouth and must be injected. | | | | unfortunately bacteria are capable of |
| When injected, their side effects | | | | developing resistance to them. |
| include possible damage to the ears and | | | | Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are germs |
| to the kidneys. This can be minimized by | | | | that are not killed by commonly used |
| checking the amount of the drug in the | | | | antibiotics. When bacteria are exposed |
| blood and adjusting the dose so that | | | | to the same antibiotics over and over, |
| there is enough drug to kill bacteria | | | | the bacteria can change and are no |
| but not too much of it. Generally, | | | | longer affected by the drug.Bacteria |
| aminoglycosides are given for short time | | | | have number of ways how they become |
| periods.The aminoglycosides are drugs | | | | antibiotic-resistant. For example, they |
| which stop bacteria from making | | | | possess an internal mechanism of |
| proteins. This effect is | | | | changing their structure so the |
| bactericidal.The most | | | | antibiotic no longer works, they develop |
| commonly-prescribed aminoglycosides: | | | | ways to inactivate or neutralize the |
| | | | antibiotic. Also bacteria can transfer |
| amikacin | | | | the genes coding for antibiotic |
| gentamicin | | | | resistance between them, making it |
| kanamycin | | | | possible for bacteria never exposed to |
| neomycin | | | | an antibiotic to acquire resistance from |
| streptomycin | | | | those which have. The problem of |
| tobramycin | | | | antibiotic resistance is worsened when |
| CephalosporinsCephalosporins are | | | | antibiotics are used to treat disorders |
| grouped into "generations" by their | | | | in which they have no efficacy (e.g. |
| antimicrobial properties. Cephalosporins | | | | antibiotics are not effective against |
| are categorized chronically, and are | | | | infections caused by viruses), and when |
| therefore divided into first, second, | | | | they are used widely as prophylaxis |
| and third generations. Currently, three | | | | rather than treatment.Resistance to |
| generations of cephalosporins are | | | | antibiotics poses a serious and growing |
| recognized and a fourth has been | | | | problem, because some infectious |
| proposed. Each newer generation of | | | | diseases are becoming more difficult to |
| cephalosporins has greater gram negative | | | | treat. Resistant bacteria do not respond |
| antimicrobial properties than the | | | | to the antibiotics and continue to cause |
| preceding generation. The | | | | infection. Some of these resistant |
| later-generation cephalosporins have | | | | bacteria can be treated with more |
| greater effect against resistant | | | | powerful medicines, but there some |
| bacteria.Cephalosporins are used to | | | | infections that are difficult to cure |
| treat pneumonia, strep throat, staph | | | | even with new or experimental drugs.Yury |
| infections, tonsillitis, bronchitis, | | | | Bayarski is the author of - a |
| otitis media, various types of skin | | | | prescription drug price comparison |
| infections, gonorrhea. Cephalosporin | | | | website. |
| antibiotics are also commonly used for | | | | |