Penicillin Antibiotics
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Overview
Penicillin antibiotics are a group of bactericidal drugs that kill bacteria by disrupting cell wall synthesis. They are among the most widely prescribed antibiotics worldwide.
How do penicillin antibiotics work?
Penicillins bind to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in the bacterial cell wall, inhibiting transpeptidation and preventing cross-linking of peptidoglycan chains. This weakens the cell wall, leading to cell lysis and death.
Drugs in this class
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)