Q.12 Describe the main groups of antibiotics?
Answer:
Three major groups of antibiotics are described below:
1. Cephalosporins
Caphalosporins interfere with synthesis of bacterial cell wall and so are bactericidal. They are used to treat pneumonia, sore throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis etc.
2. Tetracyclines
These are broad spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics and inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Tetracyclines are used in the treatment of infections of respiratory tract, urinary tract, intestine etc. Precaution
These are not used in children under age of 8, and during period of tooth development.
3. Sulpha Drugs-Sulfonamides
Sulpha drugs are synthetic antibiotics that contain sulfonamide group. These are broad spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics.
Uses
They are used to inhibit folic acid synthesis in bacteria. They are used to treat pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
