SUMMARY TABLE OF ANTIBIOTIC GROUPS

ANTIBIOTIC GROUP MODE OF ACTION EXAMPLES OF

COMPOUNDS
Aminoglycosides Irreversible inhibition of Amikacin, Gentamicin,
protein synthesis by binding Neomycin, Netimicin,
on the 30S subunit of Streptomycin, Tobramycin
bacterial ribosome
Carbacephems Inhibit synthesis of Loracarbef
peptidoglycan causing
osmotic lysis
Carbapenems Inhibit synthesis of Ertapenem, Imipenem,
peptidoglycan causing Meropenem
osmotic lysis; resistant to β-
lactamases and has wide
spectrum of activity
Cephalosporins Bind to penicillin-binding Cefaclor, Cefadroxil,
proteins (PBP) of bacteria; Cefalexin, Cefamandole,
inhibit bacterial cell wall Cefapirin, Cefazolin,
peptidoglycan synthesis and Cefepime,Cefetamet pivoxil,
activate bacterial cell wall Cefizime, Cefmenoxime,
autolytic enzymes Cefodizime, Cefonicid,
Cefoperazone, Cefotaxime,
Cefotetan, Cefotiam,
Cefoxitin, Cefpirome,
Cefpodoxime, Cefprozil,
Cefradine, Cefsulodin,
Ceftazidime, Ceftezole,
Ceftibuten, Ceftizoxime,
Ceftrixone, Cefuroxime
Chloramphenicol Bind reversibly to a receptor Chloramphenicol
site on the 50S subunit of
bacterial ribosome
Glycopeptides Prevent further elongation Vancomycin, Teiocplanin
and cross-linking of bacterial
peptidoglycan synthesis;
active against gram-positive
bacteria including methicillin-
resistant Staphylococci
Lincosamides Inhibit protein synthesis by Clindamycin, Lincomycin
interfering with initiation
complexes and translocation
reaction the bacterial 50S
subunit
Ketolides Inhibit bacterial protein Telithromycin
synthesis by reversible
binding to the 50S ribosomal
subunit

najARRIETA, RN, RM, MAN

Macrolides Inhibit bacterial protein Azithromycin, Clarithromycin,
synthesis by reversible Dirithromycin, Erythromycin,
binding to the 50S ribosomal Troleandomycin
subunit
Monobactams Inhibit synthesis of Aztreonam
peptidoglycan causing
osmotic lysis; resistant to β-
lactamases and active against
gram-negative rods
Nitrofurantoin Block aerobic energy Nitrofurantoin
production and synthesis of
proteins, DNA, RNA and cell
walls
Oxazolidinones Cause faulty protein synthesis Linezolid
by binding to the 50S
ribosomal subunit
Penicillins Inhibit synthesis of Amoxycillin, Ampicillin,
peptidoglycan causing Bacampicillin, Carbenicillin,
osmotic lysis Methicillin, Mezlocillin,
Penicillin G, Penicillin V,
Piperacillin, Ticarcillin
Penicillins with β-lactamase Bind to penicillin-binding Amoxycillin + Clavulanate,
inhibitors or compounds proteins (PBP) of bacteria; Ampicillin + Sulbactam,
preventing penicillin inhibit bacterial cell wall Ticarcillin + Clavulanate,
degeneration in kidneys synthesis and activate cell Piperacillin + Tazobactam
wall autolytic enzymes
Polymyxins Alter cytoplasmic membrane Polymyxin B
using cellular leakage
Quinolones Inhibit one or more of a group Ciprofloxaxin, Enoxacin,
of enzymes called Gatifloxacin, Levofloxacin,
topoisomerases that are Lomefloxacin, Moxifloxacin,
essential for bacterial DNA Nalidixic acid, Norfloxacin,
replication and transcription; Ofloxacin, Trovafloxacin
Inhibit DNA gyrase
Streptogramins Cause faulty protein synthesis Quinupristine + Dalfopristine
by binding to the 50S
ribosomal subunit
Sulphonamides Competitive inhibition of folic Sulfisoxazole,
acid synthesis by acting as Sulfamethoxsazole,
structural analogue of para- Sulfamethizole, Sulfasalazine
aminobenzoic (PABA)
Tetracycline Bind reversibly to receptors Demeclocycline, Doxycycline,
on the 30S ribosomal subunit Minocycline, Oxytetracycline,
inhibiting protein synthesis Tetracycline

najARRIETA, RN, RM, MAN

Trimethoprim Inhibits dihydrofolic acid Trimethoprim
reductase of bacteria and
blocks metabolic sequences
in DNA synthesis
Tyrocidins Alter cytoplasmic membrane Tyrocidine, Gramicidin
causing cellular leakage

najARRIETA, RN, RM, MAN