Antibacterial drugs

Definition

Antibacterial drugs are medications designed to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, helping to treat bacterial infections. They work through various mechanisms such as disrupting cell walls, protein synthesis, or DNA replication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Antibacterial drugs can be either bactericidal (kill bacteria) or bacteriostatic (inhibit bacterial growth).
2. Penicillin was the first discovered antibacterial drug and it works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis.
3. Misuse and overuse of antibacterial drugs can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat.
4. Some common classes of antibacterial drugs include beta-lactams, tetracyclines, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones.
5. The effectiveness of an antibacterial drug may vary depending on whether the bacteria are Gram-positive or Gram-negative.

Review Questions

• What is the difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibacterial drugs?
• How does penicillin work to combat bacterial infections?
• Why is antibiotic resistance a significant concern in the use of antibacterial drugs?

Related terms

Bactericidal: An agent that kills bacteria directly.

Bacteriostatic: An agent that inhibits the growth or reproduction of bacteria without killing them.

Antibiotic Resistance: The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of an antibiotic that once could successfully treat the infection.