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