What are antibiotics

specifically : an antibacterial substance (such as penicillin, cephalosporin, and ciprofloxacin) that is used to treat or prevent infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria in or on the body, that is administered orally, topically, or by injection, and that is isolated from cultures of certain microorganisms (such as fungi) or is of semi-synthetic or synthetic origin Noun Mild sepsis is largely survivable when identified quickly and treated with antibiotics and fluids. — Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 2 June 2023 The mid-20th century came with slightly less terrifying treatments, like laxatives and antibiotics for acne, and chemical peels for anti-aging conducted under the supervision of plastic surgeons. — Jessica Lucas, ELLE, 31 May 2023 Strides have been made in the last decades in treating horses, including development of better antibiotics and the aluminum splint and improvements in understanding laminitis. — Victor Mather, New York Times, 25 May 2023 And both processes use antibiotics and preservatives that can be harmful to humans, Russek said. — Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 May 2023 With better maternity care, living conditions, and antibiotics, maternal mortality rates improved globally. — Asima Ahmad, Fortune, 14 May 2023 This is King Harald's third announced hospitalization since last summer; in December 2022, he was admitted with an infection and was treated with IV antibiotics, and in August 2022, he was hospitalized for ...

Antibiotics are drugs used to treat Bacterial Infections Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms. They are among the earliest known life forms on earth. There are thousands of different kinds of bacteria, and they live in every conceivable... read more . They are not effective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing, allowing the body's Defenses Against Infection If the body did not have defenses against infection, it would quickly be overwhelmed by microorganisms. These defenses require a living, properly functioning body. A dead body begins to decay... read more to eliminate them. Doctors try to use antibiotics for specific bacterial infections, but they sometimes start antibiotics that can treat many different bacteria while waiting for results of Diagnosis of Infectious Disease Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Doctors suspect an infection based on the person's symptoms, physical examination results,... read more . • Other antibiotics that do not fit into the classes listed above include Chloramphenicol The antibiotic chloramphenicol is used mainly to treat serious infections due to the few bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics but are still susceptible to chloramphenicol. Its use... read more , clindamycin Clindamycin Clindamycin belongs to a class of antibiotics called lincosamides. Clindamycin is used to tre...

By Ike Swetlitz | Bloomberg Pfizer will run out of several doses of penicillin, which treat syphilis, strep throat, and other infections, later this year as shortages ripple across the US supply chain. The company anticipates running out of the children’s dose of the syphilis drug Bicillin L-A by the end of June, according to a letter Pfizer posted Tuesday on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. The company says it’s prioritizing production of larger doses of Bicillin L-A, which is recommended for pregnant people with syphilis because it is the only drug that can pass through the placenta and also treat the fetus. A different Pfizer penicillin, Bicillin C-R that treats other bacterial infections but not syphilis, is expected to run out in the third quarter, which ends Sept. 30. Pfizer’s penicillin has been in shortage since April. “The supply interruption is the result of a complex combination of factors including significant increases in demand, due to an increase in syphilis infection rates as well as competitive shortages,” Pfizer said in the letter, which is dated June 12. Basic antibiotics have been in short supply in the US since October, when rising rates of respiratory infections led to increased demand for amoxicillin, the most popular antibiotic. Shortages of the children’s form of this drug led to more need for antibiotics like penicillin, which treats similar infections.

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Share on Pinterest Antibiotics are a common, important group of medicines that treat bacterial infections. Some Oral antibiotics are available in liquid, tablet, and capsule form. Topical antibiotics include skin creams, sprays, and ointments. Eye ointments, eye drops, and ear drops are also available. Severe infections may require injected or intravenous antibiotics. Healthcare professionals prescribe different antibiotics to treat conditions such as Antibiotics do not treat viral illnesses, such as These drugs are grouped according to their antibacterial activity and chemical structure. Specific antibiotics fight certain bacteria, which makes it important to take the right kind. A healthcare professional may ask for a lab culture test to determine which antibiotics you need. Read on to learn more about the most common types of antibiotics and which infections they treat. We also explore the common side effects of antibiotics, which can include gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as more serious effects. Here are some types of antibiotics that doctors prescribe most often. Penicillins Penicillins are a common treatment for a variety of skin conditions. They also treat middle ear, kidney, and blood infections. Penicillin antibiotics Staphylococci and Streptococci infections. But some bacteria are resistant to penicillin, due to overuse. Common penicillin antibiotics include: • phenoxymethylpenicillin • dicloxacillin • amoxicillin with cla...

katleho Seisa / Getty Images Antibiotics Drug Information Antibiotics came into broader use in the 1940s, after British scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin (the first antibiotic) in mold. Before Fleming started experimenting with penicillin, many people died of common bacterial infections. • Penicillins, such as • Cephalosporins, such as Keflex (cephalexin) • Beta-lactams with increased activity, such as Augmentin ( • Lincosamides, such as Cleocin (clindamycin) • Macrolides, such as Zithromax ( • Fluoroquinolones, such as Cipro ( • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, brand names include Bactrim and Septra • Urinary anti-infectives, such as Furadantin (nitrofurantoin) • Tetracyclines, such as Sumycin (tetracycline) and Vibramycin (doxycycline) Some infections may be caused either by bacteria or by a virus. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine whether you have a viral or bacterial infection and prescribe antibiotics (or not) accordingly. They may also prescribe antibiotics if your infection seems to be getting worse or spreading. • Take your antibiotics for exactly how long and at the exact dose that your healthcare provider prescribes. • Don’t take antibiotics that were prescribed for someone else. • Don’t skip a dose or save your leftover antibiotics for later. • Don’t give anyone else antibiotics that were prescribed for you. • Tell your healthcare provider right away if your symptoms get worse. Most antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy. Ho...