Choosing the right antibiotic.

BACTERIAL diseases; DRUG therapy; VIRUS disease drug therapy; AMINOGLYCOSIDES; ANTIBIOTICS; CEPHALOSPORINS; CLOSTRIDIOIDES difficile; CO-trimoxazole; DRUG resistance in microorganisms; DRUG utilization; GRAM-negative bacteria; GRAM-positive bacteria; MACROLIDE antibiotics; PENICILLIN; TETRACYCLINES; PHARMACODYNAMICS

The article focuses on the factors to be considered in choosing the right antibiotic to be prescribed in a particular infection. It describes the differences between narrow and broad spectrum antibiotics as well as those of bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics. It discusses the adverse side effects brought by different antibiotics. It also provides information on the target infection and mode of action of various antibiotics including penicillins, tetracyclines and trimethoprim.