| Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors |
Penicillins
(Bactericidal: inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via competitive inhibition of the transpeptidase enzyme) |
| Class | Name of Drug(s) | Indications |
| Penicillin | Penicillin GAqueous (crystalline) penicillin GProcaine penicillin GBenzathine penicillin GPenicillin V | S. pnuemoniaeS. pyogenes (group A strep)N. meningitidisT. pallidumL. monocytogenesA. israeliiP. multocida |
| Aminopenicillins | AmpicillinAmoxicillin | ↑ gram-negative coverageEnterococci (group D strep)All others listed above |
| Penicillinase-resistant penicillins | MethicillinNafcillinOxacillinCloxacillinDicloxacillin | Penicillinase-producing S. aureusAll others listed above |
| Antipseudomonal penicillins | CarbenicillinTicarcillinPiperacillin | P. aeruginosaAnaerobic bacteriaAll others listed above |
Cephalosporins
(Bactericidal: inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis via competitive inhibition of the transpeptidase enzyme) |
| 1st generation | CefazolinCephalexin | Gram-positivesSome gram-negativesSkin infection prophylaxis |
| 2nd generation | CefoxitinCefaclorCefuroxime | Gram-positivesImproved gram-negative coverageAnaerobes |
| 3rd generation | CeftriaxoneCefotaximeCeftazidime | Serious gram-negative infectionsMeningitisPseudomonas |
| 4th generation | Cefepime | Same coverage as cephalosporins + expanded Pseudomonas coverage + expanded gram-positive coverage |
| 5th generation | Ceftaroline | Expanded gram-positive and gram-negative coverage, non-suitable coverage of Pseudomonas |
| Other Cell Wall Inhibitors |
| Vancomycin (bactericidal: inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by disrupting peptioglycan cross linking) | Vancomycin | MRSAPatients with PCN or ceph allergiesS aureusS epidermidisC. difficile |
Beta-lactamase inhibitors
(beta-lactamse inhibitors that prevent the degradation of beta-lactam antibiotics) | Clavulanic acidSulbactamTazobactam | Gram-positiveS. aureusS. epidermisGram-negativeE. coliKlebsiella |
Carbapenems
(Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis) | Imipenem (+ cilastatin)MeropenemDoripenemErtapenem | Broadest activity of any antibiotic (does NOT cover MRSA, Mycoplasma, and some Pseudomonas) |
Aztreonam
(inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis) | Aztreonam | Gram-negative rodsAerobesDifficult-to-treat hospital-acquired infections |
| Polymyxins | Polymyxin BPolymyxin E | Topical gram-negative infections |
| Bacitracin | Bacitracin | Topical gram-positive infections |
