Quick Review Cards for Medical Laboratory Science

Major Classes of Antibioticscontinued Clinical Microbiology Review 225

REPRESENTATIVE

CLASS ANTIBIOTICS MODE OF ACTION SPECTRUM OF ACTIVITY OTHER

Glycopeptides

Macrolides

Tetracyclines

Aminoglycosides

Bactericidal. Used for serious

infections.

Bacteriostatic.

Bacteriostatic. Used less often

than b-lactams. Not given to

children or pregnant women

due to staining of teeth,

abnormal bone growth.

Bactericidal. Toxic to kidneys

& ears. Only used to treat

serious GN infections.

Inhibit cell wall synthesis

Inhibit protein synthesis

Inhibit protein synthesis

Inhibit protein synthesis

Vancomycin

Erythromycin,

clarithromycin,

azithromycin

Tetracycline,

doxycycline

Gentamycin, to-

bramycin, amikacin

GPs. Drug of choice for

MRSA. Some strains of

Enterococcus are now

resistant (VRE).

GPs & some GNs, intracel-

lular organisms, atypical

mycobacteria.

GPs & GNs, intracellular

organisms, spirochetes,

MRSA, VRE.

Used primarily for GNs.

Ineffective against

anaerobes.

continued...