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Infections

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Overview

Infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Treatment depends on the type of infection and may include antibiotics for bacterial infections, antivirals for viral infections, or antifungals. Completing the full course of medication is essential to prevent resistance.

Drug classes used to treat infections

  • Penicillin Antibiotics — Penicillin antibiotics are a group of bactericidal drugs that kill bacteria by disrupting cell wall synthesis. They are ...
  • Macrolide Antibiotics — Macrolide antibiotics are broad-spectrum drugs used to treat respiratory infections, skin infections, and sexually trans...
  • Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics — Broad-spectrum synthetic antibiotics used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including urinary tract infections,...
  • Sulfonamide Antibiotics — One of the oldest classes of antibiotics, sulfonamides are synthetic antimicrobial agents effective against a broad rang...
  • Nitroimidazole Antibiotics — Nitroimidazoles are a class of antimicrobial agents effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain protozoa. Metronida...
  • Cephalosporin Antibiotics — Beta-lactam antibiotics structurally and pharmacologically related to penicillins. Cephalosporins are classified into fi...
  • Lincosamide Antibiotics — Lincosamides are antibiotics that include clindamycin and lincomycin. Clindamycin is particularly valued for its excelle...
  • Neuraminidase Inhibitors — Antiviral medications that work by blocking the neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of influenza viruses. This prevents ...
  • Oxazolidinone Antibiotics — A class of synthetic antibiotics that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 23S ribosomal RNA of the 50S...
  • Tetracycline Antibiotics — Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics effective against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-neg...
  • Antiviral Agents (Herpesvirus) — Antiviral medications specifically targeting herpesviruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV). These nucleoside analogues are used to t...

Medications for infections

Drug comparisons for infections

Frequently asked questions