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Antibiotic medications are used to treat bacterial infections by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth. They vary in spectrum, formulation, and mechanism of action, and are prescribed based on the type and severity of infection, as well as patient-specific factors.
Common antibiotics include penicillin derivatives like amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), often combined with clavulanic acid in formulations like Co-Amoxiclav and Augmentin to overcome bacterial resistance. Cephalosporins, such as Keflex, Cefadroxil, Ceftin, and Suprax, are widely used for respiratory, urinary, and skin infections, with later generations like Cefixime and Cefpodoxime offering broader gram-negative coverage.
Fluoroquinolones like Cipro, Ciplox, Floxin, and Lquin are potent agents against serious infections, though they come with significant risks like tendon rupture. Tetracyclines such as doxycycline, Sumycin, and Terramycin are used for acne, respiratory infections, and STIs. Macrolides like erythromycin, Eryc, and Zithromax are alternatives for patients allergic to penicillin and are also used in atypical infections.
Specialty antibiotics like Zyvox target drug-resistant infections, while Myambutol is essential in tuberculosis regimens but requires vision monitoring. Sulfonamides like Bactrim disrupt bacterial metabolism and are effective against a range of infections but should be avoided in patients with sulfa allergies.
Additional agents include Clindamycin (Cleocin) for anaerobic infections, Flagyl (metronidazole) for anaerobic and protozoal infections, Tinidazole for similar uses, and Chloromycetin for life-threatening infections when no alternatives are available. Dapsone (Aczone) and Stromectol (ivermectin) serve niche roles in treating acne, leprosy, and parasitic diseases.
Antibiotic therapy must be individualized, taking into account the nature of the infection, resistance patterns, and patient health, to ensure efficacy and prevent resistance development.