Antimicrobial drugs : Types and their Side effects

Antimicrobial drugs are chemical substances of natural or synthetic origin that suppress the growth or destroy, micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa and viruses.

• A drug used to treat a microbial infection.
• “Antimicrobial” is a general term that refers to a group of drugs that includes antibiotics, antifungals, antiprotozoals and antivirals.

What are Antimicrobial Agents?

Infections and diseases may be caused by different types of organisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses, etc., in humans and animals.

The drug used to prevent the pathogenicity of microorganisms is called an Antimicrobial Agent. (AMAs)

Examples: Antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants.

Different types of Antimicrobial drugs :-

1. Antibacterial drug: A drug that is used to inhibit the pathogenic activity of bacteria is called as antibacterial drugs. Example: Zithromax
2. Antifungal drug: A drug that is used to prevent the fungal activity in the host is called an antifungal drug. Example: Miconazole
3. Antiviral agent: A drug which is used to stop the pathogenic action of a virus is called as antiviral agents. Example: Tamiflu
4. Antiparasitic drug: A drug that is used to prevent the growth of pathogenic parasites. Example –Anthelmintics

The main classes of Antimicrobial agents :-

1. Disinfectants (non-selective agents, such as bleach), which kill a wide range of microbes on non-living surfaces to prevent the spread of illness.

2. Antiseptics (which are applied to living tissue and help reduce infection during surgery), and antibiotics (which destroy microorganisms within the body).

3. Antibiotic originally described only those formulations derived from living microorganisms but is now also applied to synthetic agents, such as sulfonamides or fluoroquinolones.

Antibacterial agents can be further subdivided into bactericidal agents, which kill bacteria, and bacteriostatic agents, which slow down or stall bacterial growth.

Side effects :-

Besides diarrhea, other relatively common or less serious side effects of antimicrobial drugs are;

1. Nausea.
2. Vomiting.
3. Abdominal pain.
4. Constipation.
5. Dry mouth.
6. Fatigue.
7. Headache.

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