Mechanism Class

Antibiotic(s) Specific Disabling Attributes Notes

of Action (if avail)
Penicillins (ampicilin,
methicillin, carbenicillin, Inhibition of peptidoglycan syn, degradation of
piperacillin) formed cell wall through the release of autolytic
enz's, weakend cell wall loses integrity & can no
inhibits peptidoglycan syn by inhibiting the formation of crosslinks btw the polymers of the
Beta-Lactam longer perserve osmotic P. Cell
bact wall. Beta-Lactams bind to PBPs (penicillin binding proteins) that are responsible
Antibiotics death/phagocytosis.low toxicity, gen
for peptido syn. (inhibiting syn)
Cephalosporins (cephalothin, bactericidal, acts poor against existing
cefoxitin, ceftazadime) peptidoglycan so more effective with growing
bact

Inhibitors of
Cell Wall Syn n/a Vancomycin
binds onto the cross-link peptide, so that the link cannot be completed & peptidoglycan
-
polymer & not be elongated

blocks phospholipid carrier that helps carry subunits of peptidoglycan across membrane
n/a Bacitracin -
to cell wall

n/a Isoniazid (INH) inhibits formation of mycolic acid in cell walls of mycobacterium (tuberculosis organism) -

bactericidal, broad-spec, used mostly against

binding to 30S ribosomal protein → missreading of mRNA & incomplete syn of protein
Aminoglycosides Gentamycin & Tobramycin Gram-Pos, resistance from enz mod of
molecules
antibiotic

Inhibitors of bacteristatic, broad-spec, resistance from active

inhibits translation into polypeptides (proteins) by blocking of tRNA to the 30S ribosome-
Tetracylines - efflux of antibiotic out of the cell or production of
Protein Syn mRNA complex
proteins that protect the 30S ribosome

Chloramphenicol,
bacteristatic, broad-spec, resistance due to chm
clindamycin, & (erythromycin) inhibits the polypeptide elongation steps in translation by binding to 50S ribosome
alteration of antibiotic or ribo prvnting binding
macrolides

disrupts functional integrity of cytoplasmic membrane; allowing nucleotides & proteins to

- - -
escape (detergent-like)
Inhibitors of
Cell Membrane works against GRAN-NEGS; but nephrotoxicity
Function - Polymyxins -
limits them to external use

- Amphotericin B ( apolyene) antifungal; binds w ergosterol in fungal membranes; somewhat toxic -

Quinolones &
Inhibitors of ciprofloxacin & nalidixic acid inhibs bact DNA gyrase - the enzyme that controls DNA coiling
Fluoroquinolones
Nuc Acid Syn
- Rifampin inhibits transcription by binding to RNA polymerase & inhibiting initian of mRNA syn
(inhibits ess. - most are bactericidal & moderately narrow-
nucleic acid - Metronidazole causes breakage of microbial DNA (bact & parasitic DNA) spectrum
precursor or binds
ess. Enzyme) Nucleoside analogue Acyclovir, Ribavirin, Zidovudine Inhibit DNA or RNA syn by altering their composition using nucleic acid analogues

Flucytosine, 5-fluorocytosine (5FC incorporates into fungal RNA & interferes with DNA & protein syn

Sulfonamides sulfamethoxazole inhibits folic acid syn by competing for precursor molecules
Inhibitors of
Bacterial Trimethoprim competitively interferes w folic acid by inhibiting a metabolic enzyme -
Metabolism
Azoles fluconazole antifungal; inhibis syn of ergosterol (key struct molecule of fungal cell membranes)