Antibiotics and their classification, Part - 1
- 1. ANTIBIOTICS and CLASSIFICATION PART – 1 ZAG
- 2. Substance produced by a microorganism or a similar product produced wholly (synthetic) or partially (semi-synthetic) by chemical synthesis and in low concentrations inhibits the growth of or kills microorganisms
- 3. Classification of Antibiotics Antibiotics are classified into different categories, on the basis of ; Mechanism of Action Spectrum / Target specificity Effects of their activity Route of administration Chemical structure
- 4. Classification : Spectrum Basis On the basis of target specificity, antibiotics are divided into two; Broad Spectrum broad spectrum antibiotics affect a wide range of bacteria, including both Gram positive and negative (Large Number of families). E.g. Ampicillin, Amoxicillin Narrow spectrum Narrow spectrum antibiotics act against a limited group of bacteria, either gram positive or gram negative. for example Sodium Fusidate only acts against staphylococcal bacteria.
- 5. Classification : Effects of Specificity On the basis of Effects of specificity, antibiotics are divided into two; Bacteriostatics A drug that prevents bacterial growth and reproduction but does not necessarily kill them. Examples are; Sulfonamide, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim, macrolides, Lincosamide Bactericidal An agent that kills bacteria. Aminoglycosides, Penicillin, Cephalosporin
- 6. Classification : Chemical structure Following are some major classes of antibiotics ; Beta Lactams Macrolides Aminoglycosides Quinolones and Flouroquinolones Sulphonamides Glcopeptides Lincosamides Streptogramins Trimethoprim Steroid Antibiotics
- 7. Classification : Mechanism of Action Categorically divided as; Inhibitor of cell wall synthesis/ Peptidoglycan Inhibitors Beta-lactum; Penicillin Bacitracin Inhibitor of Protein Synthesis Streptomycin Aminoglycosides Inhibitor of Nucleic acid synthesis Quinolones Ciprofloxacin Inhibitor of Essential Metabolite synthesis Inhibitor of Folic acid synthesis Sulfonamide Trimethoprim Inhibitor of cytoplasmic membrane Polymyxin; Colistin
- 9. For further knowledge about Antibiotics check Part - II