How Do Other Antibiotics Work?

Antibiotics are medications administered to treat bacterial infections. Other antibiotics are medications that are not categorized into any specific classes of antibiotics. Other antibiotics include several types of drugs that work in unique ways to prevent bacterial growth (bacteriostatic) or cause death (bactericidal) of multiple bacteria species.

Other antibiotics include the following:

• Bacitracin: Bacitracin is primarily used to treatophthalmic和皮肤感染。杆菌肽可以防止细菌growth by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Currently, bacitracinintramuscularinjections are discontinued in the US and may only be given to children for Staphylococci lung infections if less toxic antibiotics are ineffective.
• Chloramphenicol: Chloramphenicol is used only for acute and serious infections that cannot be treated with less toxic alternative antibiotics. Chloramphenicol binds to the bacterial ribosomes (cellular particles that synthesize proteins) and prevents protein synthesis that is necessary for bacterial growth.
• Colistin: Colistin is used to treat bacterial infections from susceptible strains of certaingram-negative bacteria such asPseudomonas aeruginosa.Gram-negativebacteria are structurally different fromgram-positivebacteria, identified by whether they get dyed or not in the Gram stain lab test. Colistin damages the bacterial cell membrane and kills it.
• Fosfomycin: Fosfomycin is used to treaturinary tractinfections. Fosfomycin is a phosphoric acid derivative that prevents bacterialadhesionto the urinary tract, prevents bacterial wall synthesis, and kills the bacteria. Fosfomycin works by inactivating pyruvyl transferase, an enzymeessentialfor bacterial wall synthesis.
• Iclaprim: Iclaprim is anantibioticin clinical trials to treat acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and hospital-acquiredbacterialpneumonia. Iclaprim prevents the synthesis offolic acidrequired for bacterial growth by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, an important enzyme in the process of folate synthesis.
• Linezolid: Linezolid is a new class of antibiotic known as oxazolidinone used to treat skin and soft tissue infections and pneumonia caused by gram-positive bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics includingmethicillinandvancomycin. Linezolid binds to the bacterial ribosomes and blocks protein synthesis that enables bacterial growth.
• Methenamine: Methenamine is anantisepticandantibacterialdrug used to prevent and suppressrecurrent尿路感染,延长ed antibiotic use can lead to resistance. Methenamine breaks down in acidic urine intoammoniaand formaldehyde which are bactericidal. The salt component of the drug contains hippuric or mandelic acid which acidifies the urine.
• Methenamine/hyoscyamine/methylene blue/phenyl salicylate/sodiumphosphate monobasic: This combination drug is used to treat irritative voiding symptoms fromurinary tract infectionor diagnostic procedures. In acidic urine, methenamine releases ammonia and formaldehyde that kill bacteria andsodium acid phosphatemaintain urine acidity. Hyoscyamine relaxes thebladder’s smooth muscles, methylene blue is an antiseptic, and phenyl salicylate is a mildanalgesic.
• 六亚甲基四胺/磷酸氢二钠: Methenamine/sodium acid phosphate combination is used to prevent and suppress recurrent urinary tract infections. Sodium acid phosphate acidifies the urine and methenamine releases ammonia and formaldehyde which kill bacteria by denaturing the bacterial proteins and nucleic acid.
• Methenamine/sodium salicylate/benzoic acid: In this methenamine combination, methenamine is bactericidal, benzoic acid maintains the required level of urine acidity for methenamine to release ammonia and formaldehyde and sodium salicylate has analgesic properties.
• Metronidazolevaginal: Vaginal metronidazole is an antibacterial agent used to treatbacterial vaginosis. Vaginal metronidazole kills bacteria by disrupting bacterial DNA synthesis and is effective against many types of vaginal bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus species, and Peptostreptococcus species.
• Nitrofurantoin: Nitrofurantoin is used for treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections and is effective against many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Nitrofurantoin kills bacteria by interfering with vital bacterial cellular processes such as the synthesis of DNA, RNA, cell wall proteins, and other metabolic enzymes.
• Polymyxin B: Polymyxin B is used for treating serious and systemic infections when potentially less toxic alternative antibiotics cannot be used or are ineffective. Polymyxin B is a bactericidal drug that binds to fatty molecules on the cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria and causes leakage of cell contents leading to its death.
• Rifamycin: Rifamycin is used to treat traveler’s diarrhea, caused by bacterial infections of thecolonfrom ingesting contaminated food or water. Rifamycin prevents bacterial growth by inhibiting the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an enzyme that enables thetranscriptionof DNA into RNA, thus blocking one of the steps in DNA synthesis.
• Rifaximin: Rifaximin is a derivative of rifamycin and works similarly to stop bacterial growth. In addition to traveler’s diarrhea, rifaximin is used to inhibit bacterial growth inirritable bowel syndromewith diarrhea (IBS-D) andhepatic encephalopathy(HE), a nervous system disorder caused byliver disease. Rifaximin stops the growth of ammonia-producingentericbacteria, reducing ammonia levels and lowering the risk of HE.
• Sulfanilamide: Sulfanilamide is used in the form of vaginal cream to treat vaginalyeast(fungus) infections. Sulfanilamide stops bacterial growth by inhibitingpara-aminobenzoic acid, a nutrient in the vitamin B complex, and interfering with microbial folic acid synthesis, both of which are essential for yeast to grow and multiply.
• Trimethoprim: Trimethoprim is used to treat middle ear and urinary tract infections due to susceptible strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Trimethoprim prevents the synthesis of folic acid essential for bacterial growth and survival by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, an important enzyme in the process of folate synthesis.

Other antibiotics may be administered through various routes including:

• Oral:
  • 平板电脑
  • Capsules
  • Powder dissolved in water
  • Solutions, suspensions
• Injections:
  • Intramuscular (IM) injections into the muscle
  • Intravenous (IV) injections into the vein
  • Intrathecal injections into the spinal canal
• Vaginal: Gels and creams applied inside thevagina

The FDA-approved uses of other antibiotics include:

• Bacitracin:
  • Pneumonia orempyema(lung infections) in children, caused by susceptible strainsStaphylococci, only if less toxic antibiotics are not effective (currently discontinued)
• Chloramphenicol:
  • Serious infections in adults caused by susceptible bacterial strains
  • Systemic infections in children and newborns
• Colistin:
  • Acute or chronic infections due to susceptible strains of certain gram-negative bacteria such asPseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes,Escherichia coliand Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Fosfomycin:
  • Urinary tract infection (acutecystitis/bladder infection)
  • Prostatitis (inflammation of theprostate) - off-label
• Iclaprim:
  • Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (pending FDA approval)
• Linezolid:
  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections
  • Skin and skin structure infections (complicated and uncomplicated)
  • Community-acquired pneumonia (including concurrentbacteremia)
  • Nosocomialpneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia)
  • Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections (MRSA)
  • Methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcusaureusinfection
• Methenamine:
  • Prophylacticand suppressive treatment for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) that require long-term therapy
• Methenamine/hyoscyamine/methylene blue/phenyl salicylate/sodium phosphate monobasic:
  • Urinary tract irritative voiding symptoms resulting from urinary tract infections or diagnostic procedures
  • 六亚甲基四胺/磷酸氢二钠:
  • Prophylactic and suppressive treatment for recurrent urinary tract infections that require long-term therapy
• Methenamine/sodium salicylate/benzoic acid:
  • Prophylactic and suppressive treatment for recurrent urinary tract infections that require long-term therapy
• Metronidazole vaginal:
  • Treatment of bacterial vaginosis
• Nitrofurantoin:
  • Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by susceptible strains ofEscherichia coli, Enterobacter species, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. saprophyticus
• Polymyxin B:
  • Treatment of acute infections caused by susceptible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Treatment of serious and systemic infections caused byHaemophilus influenzae (meningitis), Escherichia coli (UTI), Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae (bacteremia)
• Rifamycin:
  • Traveler’s diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains ofE. coliin adults, uncomplicated by fever or blood instool
• Rifaximin:
  • Traveler’s diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of E. coli in patients 12 years of age and above, uncomplicated by fever or blood in stool
  • Reduction in risk of hepaticencephalopathyrecurrence in adults
  • Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults
• Sulfanilamide:
  • Candida vulvovaginitis (vaginal yeast infection) in adult women
• Trimethoprim:
  • Treatment ofacute otitis media(middle ear infection) due to susceptible strains ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeor Haemophilus influenzae
  • Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by susceptible strains ofEscherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter species, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species including S. saprophyticus

Side effects of other antibiotics vary with each type of drug. A few of the most common side effects may include:

• Bacitracin:
  • Nephrotoxicreactions such asalbuminand other particles in urine and elevatedblood urea nitrogen(BUN)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blood dyscrasias (disorders)
  • Pain at the injection site
  • Rashes, itching, and diaphoresis (excessive sweating)
• Chloramphenicol:
  • Nightmares
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomatitis (inflammation of the oralmucousmembranes)
• Colistin:
  • Dizziness
  • Paresthesia(abnormal skin sensation)
  • Tingling of extremities and tongue
  • Neurotoxicity
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Fosfomycin:
  • Anorexia(loss of appetite)
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Rash
• Iclaprim:
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • 瘙痒(itching)
  • Erythema(redness)
• Linezolid:
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Rash
• Methenamine:
  • Dysuria(painful urination)
  • Gastricupset
  • Nausea
  • Rash
• Methenamine/hyoscyamine/methylene blue/phenyl salicylate/sodium phosphate monobasic:
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rash and pruritus
  • Dry skin
  • Urine and stool discoloration
  • Limb pain
• 六亚甲基四胺/磷酸氢二钠:
  • Dysuria
  • Gastric upset and stomach pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Rash
• Methenamine/sodium salicylate/benzoic acid:
  • Dysuria
  • Gastric upset
  • Nausea
  • Angioedema(swelling in the tissue under the skin or mucous membranes)
  • Bronchospasm
• Metronidazole vaginal:
  • Bacterial infection
  • Headache
  • 瘙痒(itching)
  • Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea
  • Dysmenorrhea (painfulmenstruation)
  • Pharyngitis(throat inflammation)
• Nitrofurantoin:
  • Anorexia (loss of appetite)
  • Arthralgia(joint pain)
  • Chest pains
  • Cough and chills
  • Clostridium difficilecolitis
• Polymyxin B:
  • Anaphylactoid reactions withdyspnea(shortness of breath) andtachycardia(rapid heartbeat)
  • Eosinophilia(high level of white blood cells known as eosinophils)
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Neurotoxicity
  • Fever
• Rifamycin:
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Dyspepsia(indigestion)
• Rifaximin:
  • Flatulence
  • Headache
  • Rectaltenesmus(a feeling of being unable to completely evacuate the bowels)
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
• Sulfanilamide:
  • Local sensitivity reactions such as discomfort and burning
• Trimethoprim:
  • Asepticmeningitis (inflammation of themeninges, the protective membrane of the brain andspinal cord)
  • Fever
  • Hypersensitivity, severe skin reactions, and pruritus
  • Electrolyteimbalances such ashyperkalemia(highpotassium) andhyponatremia(low sodium)
  • Blood disorders
  • Nausea and vomiting

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Genericand brand names of some of the other antibiotics include:

• Aemcolo
• AVC
• BACiiM(discontinued)
• bacitracin
• chloramphenicol
• Chloramphenicol IV
• Chloromycetin
• colistimethate sodium
• colistin
• Coly Mycin M
• Cystex
• Darpaz
• fosfomycin
• Furadantin
• Hiprex
• iclaprim (pending FDA approval)
• linezolid
• Macrobid
• Macrodantin
• methenamine
• methenamine/hyoscyamine
• methenamine/hyoscyamine/methylene blue/phenyl salicylate/sodium phosphate monobasic
• methenamine/sodium acid phosphate
• methenamine/sodium salicylate/benzoic acid
• MetroGel Vaginal
• metronidazole vaginal
• Monurol
• nitrofurantoin
• Nuvessa
• polymyxin B
• Primsol
• Proloprim
• Prosed DS
• relebactam
• rifamycin
• rifamycin SV MMX
• rifaximin
• sulfanilamide
• TMP
• trimethoprim
• Uretron D/S
• Urex
• Uribel
• Urogesic Blue
• Uroquid-Acid No. 2
• Utac
• Uticap
• Utrona-C
• Vandazole
• Xifaxan
• Zyvox