Antibiotics

drug class and

generic name

common trade name(s) common use(s)

aminoglycosides (inhibit protein synthesis)

gentamicin Garamycin infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, blood, abdominal cavity; pelvic inflammatory disease

tobramycin AKTob, Nebcin infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, blood, abdominal cavity; pelvic imflammatory disease

cephalosporins (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=22461) (inhibit cell wall synthesis)

cefaclor Ceclor infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts and skin; otitis media

cefamandole Mandol infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, skin, bone and joints, and blood; peritonitis

cefazolin Ancef, Kefzol infections of the respiratory and genitourinary tracts, skin, bone and joints, and blood; endocarditis

ceftriaxone Rocephin infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, skin, blood, abdominal cavity, and bone and joints; pelvic inflammatory disease; gonorrhea; meningitis

cefuroxime Ceftin, Kefurox infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, skin, bone and joints, and blood

cephalexin Biocef, Keflex infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, skin, and bone; otitis media

chloramphenicols (inhibit protein synthesis)

chloramphenicol (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=84414) Chloromycetin infections of the eyes, ears, and skin; cystic fibrosis; prevention of infection in minor wounds

fluoroquinolones (interfere with DNA synthesis)

ciprofloxacin Cipro infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts, skin, eyes, abdominal cavity, and bone and joints; diarrhea; gonorrhea; sinusitis; pneumonia; prostatitis; anthrax

norfloxacin Chibroxin, Noroxin urinary tract infections, STDs caused by N. gonorrhoeae, eye infections, prostatitis

lincosamides (inhibit protein systhesis)

clindamycin Cleocin infections of the respiratory tract, skin, and abdominal cavity; acne; pelvic inflammatory disease

macrolides (inhibit protein synthesis)

azithromycin Zithromax infections of the respiratory tract and skin; STDs; otitis media; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; pneumonia

clarithromycin Biaxin infections of the respiratory tract and skin; otitis media

erythromycin (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=33539) E.E.S., E-mycin, Eryc infections of the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes; STDs; pertussis; diptheria; intestinal amebiasis; otitis media; acne; Legionnaire disease; prevention of infection in minor wounds

nitrofurans (inactivate essential cell components)

nitrofurantoin Furadantin, Macrobid urinary tract infections

penicillins (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=60549) (inhibit cell wall synthesis)

amoxicillin Amoxil, Trimox various streptococcal and staphylococcal infections

ampicillin (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=7342) Marcillin, Omnipen infections of the respiratory and urinary tract and blood; meningitis; gonococcal infections; endocarditis

penicillin G Bicillin, Pen-G Pot, Wycillin

various streptococcal and staphylococcal infections

piperacillin Pipracil infections of the respiratory and genitourinary tracts, skin, abdominal cavity, bone and joints, and blood

ticarcillin Ticar infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts; streptococcal and pseudomonas infections; gonorrhea; tonsillitis; Lyme disease; impetigo; otitis media; meningitis

tetracyclines (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=73718) (inhibit protein synthesis)

tetracycline Achromycin, Sumycin rickettsia, pneumonia, chlamydia, intestinal amebiasis, acne, prevention of infection in minor wounds

miscellaneous antibiotics

aztreonam Azactam infections of the respiratory and genitourinary tracts, skin, abdominal cavity, and blood

imipenem-cilistatin Primaxin infections of the respiratory and genitourinary tracts, skin, abdominal cavity, bone and joints, and blood; endocarditis

isoniazid (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=43922) INH, Isoniazid, Nydrazid tuberculosis

metronidazole Flagyl, Protostat infections of the vagina and gastrointestinal tract

rifampin Rifadin, Rimactane tuberculosis

trimethoprim-

sulfamethoxazole Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra urinary tract infections, shigellosis, otitis media, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea

vancomycin Lyphocin, Vancocin infections resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins