Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Sulfa Drugs, Tetracyclines, Macrolides, Fluoroquinolones, Healthcare professionals and scientists have carefully prepared this ALtruis Biomedical Network-affiliated site, intended for informational purposes only . All of these are prescription-only products in the United States. The ideal antibacterial or antimicrobial compound displays a selective toxicity. In reality, many antimicrobials have a relative toxicity. Antimicrobial is a broader category that includes antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal or antibacterial compounds.
Antibacterials specfically act against bacterial cells.
The actual mechanism of antibacterial compounds is not always known. The penicillin class of antibiotics is a diverse, yet highly essential class of antibiotics. Penicillins work by damaging the cell wall of the bacteria. Penicillin and all of its derivatives come from a mold, Penicillium notatum , which is toxic bluish-green mold often found on old bread. The mold must be carefully processed to produce the penecillin.