Drug

Antibiotics

synonym

against life

definition

Antibiotics are a large class of drugs that are mainly used to combat diseases (infections) caused by bacteria.
Antibiotics refer to the large group of drugs and substances which, if the name were translated, "against life“Are used (bios = life).

operation area

Antibiotics are always used when there is either a bacterial infection in the body, or when there is e.g. there is an increased risk of an impending bacterial infection after an operation.
Antibiotics are used therapeutically and prophylactically in bacterial infections. Antibiotics do not help against viruses.

Please also read: When do you need antibiotics for a cold?

effect

Depending on the group of antibiotics, the effect on the bacteria also differs.
The group of glycopeptides, penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems have an inhibiting effect on the cell wall formation of the bacteria and thus cause them to die.
Lincosamines, tetracyclines, macrolides and aminoglycosides inhibit the protein synthesis of the bacteria and thus disrupt their regulated biological processes. Gyrase inhibitors, nitroimidazoles and rifampicin intervene in the genetic process of the bacterium and make it impossible to survive. Finally, cotrimoxazole acts on the folic acid metabolism, which is important for the bacterium, and thus causes it to die.

Classification

There are numerous preparations of antibiotics, all of which are divided into specific groups. These groups usually differ in their mode of action, their germ spectrum and thus in their area of application. The three groups of penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems are summarized under the umbrella term beta-lactam antibiotics. The most well-known antibiotics and one of the oldest are the penicillins.
They inhibit the bacterial cell wall and are mainly used in infections with:

Streptococci
Staphylococci or
Gonococci used.

Severe infections, such as pneumonia (Pneumococci) an erysipelago (Streptococci) or syphilis (Gonococci) be treated. The carbapenems, to which meropenem and imipenem belong, are used for severe infections, mostly acquired in hospital (e.g. anaerobes, Pseudomonas, etc.). Cephalosporins make up another large group of antibiotics.
They are divided into appropriate subgroups. Cefazolin (group 1) is used in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and in prophylaxis after operations. Cefuroxime and Cefotiam (group 2) are also used for pneumonia acquired on an outpatient basis and as surgical prophylaxis, but also for urinary tract infections caused by E. coli.

Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone (Group 3a) is used in purulent inflammation of the gallbladder, meningitis and the Lyme disease used. Ceftazidime belongs to group 3b. It has a broad spectrum of activity and is used in severe infections caused by pseudomonads.
In addition to the beta-lactam antibiotics, there are those Aminopenicillins (Ampicillin, amoxicillin), which are used in the treatment of streptococcal pneumonia ENT infections and urinary tract infections especially in the pregnancy to have.

The Acylaminopenicillins (Mezlocillin, piperacillin) are used for severe infections. Vancomycin belongs to the group of glycopeptides. The germ spectrum is particularly important in the case of gram-positive germs, e.g. a so-called pseudomembranous Colitis can trigger. One of the beta-lactamase inhibitors

Sulbaktam,
Tazobaktam and the
Clavulanic acid.

This combination antibiosis is often used in the clinic for the treatment of pneumonia and urinary tract infections, but also for infections whose pathogens are unknown.
The specialty of Clindamycin (from the group of lincosamines) is good tissue penetration.
The substance is therefore always used when infections of bone or teeth available. Co-trimoxazole is used less frequently. Areas of application are rarer diseases such as Wegner's granulomatosis or the Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Doxycycline belongs to the group of tetracyclines. Again, rarer diseases like that belong here

Ornitosis,
the Trachoma, or the
Lyme disease to the area of application.

A special area of operation is the preventive treatment against malaria. Erythromycin, clarithromycin and roxithromycin belong to the group of macrolides. It is used for pneumonia acquired on an outpatient basis, ENT infections in the case of penicillin allergies and all possible infections during pregnancy, for which most other antibiotics are contraindicated. Aminoglycosides (gentamycin + streptomycin) are used in diseases that are severe, such as blood poisoning, heart inflammation or bone infections.

Special operation area is the one that has become rare today tuberculosis. Gyrase inhibitor (Ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin) are used for urinary tract infections, Pseudomonas infections and inflammation of the gallbladder. Finally, Metronidazole should be mentioned, which belongs to the group of Nitroimidazoles is counted. Application areas are the Helico-Bacter Gastritis, sex infections, and amoebic dysentery.

History of antibiotics

Interestingly, this group of substances was discovered by accident.
The bacteriologist Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) experimented with in 1928 Staphylococciwhen a substance containing mold fell into his culture. A short time later, he found that the area that had come into contact with the mold was free of the bacterium.
The antibiotic later developed from the mold penicillin. Other records state that 30 years ago it was reported that Mushrooms Can kill bacteria. As a secret explorer, however Fleming still celebrated.