Classification of Antibacterial Agents

OVERVIEW

3 main groups:

• (1) Inhibition of cell wall synthesis
• (2) Inhibition of protein synthesis
• (3) Inhibition of bacterial nucleic acid synthesis

CLASSIFICATION

(1) Inhibition of cell wall synthesis

• Penicillin

(i) penicillinase susceptible – pen V & G
(ii) penicillinase resistance – methicillin, oxacillin
(iii) penicillinase susceptible with activity against gram negative bacilli – ampicillin, amoxicillin, piperacillin
(iv) penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors – amoxicillin-clavulanate

• cephalosporins

1st generation – cephazolin, cephalexin
2nd generation – cefuroxime, cefoxitin
3rd generation – cefotaxime, ceftriaxone
4th generation – cefepime

• Glycopeptide derivatives — vancomycin, teicoplanin, bleomycin
• Carbopenems — imipenem, meropenem

(2) Inhibition of protein synthesis

• Aminoglycosides – gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin
• Macrolides – erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin
• Tetracyclines – Tetracycline, Doxycycline
• Chloramphenicol
• Lincomycins – clindamycin

(3) Inhibition of bacterial nucleic acid synthesis

• Sulfonamides – sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole
• Metronidazole
• Pyrimidine derivatives – trimethoprim
• Rifampicin
• Quinolones

1st generation – not available
2nd generation – ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin
3rd generation – moxifloxacin
4th generation – not currently available in US