| Agent
| Principal applications
|
| â-lactams
| |
| Penicillin
| Streptococci, pneumococci
|
| Flucloxacillin/cloxacillin/methicillin
| Staphylococci
|
| Ampicillin/amoxycillin ± clavulanate
| Staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, plus common respiratory and enteric organisms
|
| Cephalosporins (1st, 2nd and 3rd generations)
| As above, with enhanced stability to â-lactamases and hospital pathogens; broad spectrum
|
| Carbapenems (e.g. imipenem)
| Very broad spectrum activity against hospital pathogens
|
| Macrolides
Erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and others
| Streptococci, pneumococci, Legionella etc (± staphylococci)
|
| Fluoroquinolones
(also known simply as quinolones) Ciprofloxacin and many more
| Enteric, urinary and respiratory tract pathogens; used also for hospital infections
|
| Aminoglycosides
| |
| Streptomycin
| TB |
| Gentamicin and amikacin
| Broad spectrum: hospital pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa
|
| Glycopeptides
Vancomycin and teicoplanin
| MRSA, enterococci
|
| Rifamycins
Rifampicin and others
| TB; prophylaxis against meningococcal disease
|
| Miscellaneous anti-TB agents
Isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol
| TB |
| Folate inhibitors
Trimethoprim ± sulphonamides (`Septrin')
| Urinary tract infections (some in respiratory tract disease)
|
| Streptogramins
| Being developed against MRSA and enterococci
|
| Oxazolidinones
| Being developed against MRSA and enterococci
|
