Top 10 List of Antibiotic Classes (Types of

Antibiotics)
1. Penicillins

2. Tetracyclines

3. Cephalosporins

4. Quinolones

5. Lincomycins

6. Macrolides

7. Sulfonamides

8. Glycopeptides

9. Aminoglycosides

10. Carbapenems

Top 10 List of Common Infections Treated

with Antibiotics
1. Acne

2. Bronchitis

3. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

4. Otitis Media (Ear Infection)

5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s)

6. Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

7. Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)

8. Traveler’s diarrhea

9. Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

 10. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Top 10 List of Generic Antibiotics

1. amoxicillin

2. doxycycline

3. cephalexin

4. ciprofloxacin

5. clindamycin

6. metronidazole

7. azithromycin

8. sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

9. amoxicillin and clavulanate

10. levofloxacin

Top 10 List of Brand Name Antibiotics

11. Augmentin

12. Flagyl, Flagyl ER

13. Amoxil

14. Cipro

15. Keflex

16. Bactrim, Bactrim DS

17. Levaquin

18. Zithromax

19. Avelox

20. Cleocin
1. Penicillins
Another name for this class is the beta-lactam antibiotics, referring to their
structural formula. The penicillin class contains five groups of
antibiotics: aminopenicillins, antipseudomonal penicillins, beta-lactamase
inhibitors, natural penicillins, and the penicillinase resistant penicillins.

Common antibiotics in the penicillin class include:

Generic Brand Name Examples

amoxicillin Amoxil

amoxicillin and clavulanate Augmentin, Augmentin ES-600, Augmentin

XR

ampicillin Unasyn

dicloxacillin Dynapen (discontinued)

oxacillin Bactocill (discontinued)

penicillin V potassium PC Pen VK (discontinued)

Certain penicillinase-resistant penicillins (such as oxacillin or dicloxacillin) are

inherently resistant to certain beta-lactamase enzymes by themselves. Others,
for example, amoxicillin or ampicillin have greater antibacterial activity when
they are combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor like clavulanate, sulbactam,
or tazobactam.

21.
2. Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum against many bacteria and treat conditions
such as acne, urinary tract infections (UTIs), intestinal tract infections, eye
infections, sexually transmitted diseases, periodontitis (gum disease), and
other bacterial infections. The tetracycline class contains drugs such as:

Generic Brand Name Examples

demeclocycline Declomycin

doxycycline Adoxa, Doryx, Doxy 100, Oracea, Vibramycin

eravacycline Xerava

minocycline Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn

omadacycline Nuzyra

tetracycline Panmycin, Sumycin

3. Cephalosporins
There are five generations of cephalosporins, with increasing expanded
coverage across the class to include gram-negative infections. Newer
generations with updated structures are developed to allow wider coverage of
certain bacteria. Cephalosporins are bactericidal (kill bacteria) and work in a
similar way as the penicillins. Cephalosporins treat many types of infections,
including strep throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections,
lung infections, and meningitis. Common medications in this class include:

Generic Brand Name Examples

cefaclor Ceclor (brand discontinued)

cefdinir Omnicef (discontinued)

cefotaxime Claforan

ceftazidime Avycaz, Fortaz, Tazicef

ceftriaxone Rocephin (discontinued)

cefuroxime Zinacef

The fifth generation (or next generation) cephalosporin known

as ceftaroline (Teflaro) is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA). Avycaz contains the the beta-lactamase inhibitor avibactam.
4. Quinolones
The quinolones, also known as the fluoroquinolones, are a synthetic,
bactericidal antibacterial class with a broad-spectrum of activity. The
quinolones can be used for difficult-to-treat urinary tract infections when
other options are aren’t effective, hospital-acquired pneumonia, bacterial
prostatitis, and even anthrax or plague.

The FDA has issued several strong warnings about this class due to potential
disabling side effects. Learn More: Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Drugs for
Systemic Use: Drug Safety Communication - Warnings Updated Due to
Disabling Side Effects

Common drugs in the fluoroquinolone class include:

Generic Brand Name Examples

ciprofloxacin Cipro, Cipro XR

levofloxacin Levaquin

moxifloxacin Avelox

Several quinolones are also available in drop form to treat eye or ear
infections.
5. Lincomycins
This class has activity against gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes (bacteria
that can live without oxygen), as well as some gram-negative anaerobes. The
lincomycin derivatives may be used to treat serious infections like pelvic
inflammatory disease, intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory tract
infections, and bone and joint infections. Some forms are also used topically
on the skin to treat acne. These drugs include:

Generic Brand Name Examples

clindamycin Cleocin, Cleocin T, Evoclin

lincomycin Lincocin

6. Macrolides
The macrolides can be use to treat community-acquired pneumonia, pertussis
(whooping cough), or for uncomplicated skin infections, among other
susceptible infections. Ketolides are a newer generation of antibiotic
developed to overcome macrolide bacterial resistance. Frequently prescribed
macrolides are:

Generic Brand Name Examples

azithromycin Zithromax

clarithromycin Biaxin

erythromycin E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Eryc

7. Sulfonamides
Sulfonamides are effective against some gram-positive and many gram-
negative bacteria, but resistance is widespread. Uses for sulfonamides include
urinary tract infections (UTIs), treatment or prevention of pneumocystis
pneumonia, or ear infections (otitis media). Familiar names include:

Generic Brand Name Examples

sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra

sulfasalazine Azulfidine

sulfisoxazole (product discontinued) Eryzole (discontinued), Gantrisin (discontinued

8. Glycopeptide Antibiotics
Members of this group may be used for treating methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, complicated skin infections,
C. difficile-associated diarrhea, and enterococcal infections such as
endocarditis which are resistant to beta-lactams and other antibiotics.
Common drug names include:

Generic Brand Name Examples

dalbavancin Dalvance

oritavancin Orbactiv

telavancin Vibativ

vancomycin Firvanq, Vancocin

9. Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycosides inhibit bacterial synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosome
and act rapidly as bactericidal antibiotics (killing the bacteria). These drugs are
usually given intravenously (in a vein through a needle). Common examples in
this class are:

Generic Brand Name Examples

gentamicin Garamycin (discontinued), Genoptic

tobramycin TOBI, Tobradex, Tobrex

amikacin Amikin

10. Carbapenems
These injectable beta-lactam antibiotics have a wide spectrum of bacteria-
killing power and may be used for moderate to life-threatening bacterial
infections like stomach infections, pneumonias, kidney infections, multidrug-
resistant hospital-acquired infections and many other types of serious
bacterial illnesses. They are often saved for more serious infections or used as
"last-line" agents to help prevent resistance. Members of this class include:

Generic Brand Name Examples

imipenem and cilastatin Primaxin

meropenem Merrem

doripenem Doribax (discontinued)

ertapenem Invanz
Are There Any Over-the-Counter
Antibiotics?
Over-the-counter (OTC) oral antibiotics are not approved in the U.S. A
bacterial infection is best treated with a prescription antibiotic that is specific
for the type of bacteria causing the infection. Using a specific antibiotic will
increase the chances that the infection is cured and help to prevent antibiotic
resistance. In addition, a lab culture may need to be performed to pinpoint the
bacteria and to help select the best antibiotic. Taking the wrong antibiotic --
or not enough -- may worsen the infection and prevent the antibiotic from
working the next time.

There are a few over-the-counter topical antibiotics that can be used on the
skin. Some products treat or prevent minor cuts, scrapes or burns on the skin
that may get infected with bacteria. These are available in creams, ointments,
and even sprays.

Common OTC topical antibiotics:

• Neosporin (bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin B)

• Polysporin (bacitracin, polymyxin B)

• Triple antibiotic, generic (bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin B)

• Neosporin + Pain Relief Ointment (bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin B,

pramoxine)

There are some OTC antibacterials for treating acne, too. They contain the
antibacterial benzoyl peroxide, which also has mild drying effect for acne.
Many products are found on the pharmacy shelves as gels, lotions, solutions,
foams, cleaning pads, and even facial scrubs.

Common OTC antibacterials for acne:

• Clearskin

• Oxy-10

• Proactiv