Antibiotic - Wikipedia
An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the …
Antibiotics 101: List of Common Names, Types & Their Uses
Dec 6, 2025 · There is not one type of antibiotic that cures every infection. Antibiotics specifically treat infections caused by bacteria, such as Staph., Strep., or E. coli., and either kill the bacteria …
Antibiotic | Definition, Types, Side Effects, Resistance ...
Dec 28, 2025 · Antibiotic, chemical substance produced by a living organism, generally a microorganism, that is detrimental to other microorganisms. Antibiotics came into worldwide …
Common Antibiotics: Names, Types, and When to Use Them
Dec 16, 2025 · Antibiotics are medicines that are used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. They work to clear up infections either by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. Antibiotics typically have …
Overview of Antibiotics - Infections - Merck Manual Consumer Version
Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections. They are not effective against viral infections and most other infections. Antibiotics either kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing, …
Know When and How to Use Antibiotics, and When to Skip Them | FDA
Antibiotics treat only some infections caused by bacteria – and none caused by viruses. Most often, antibiotics work by killing the targeted bacteria or by making it difficult for the bacteria...
Antibiotics: What They Are, How to Take Them, Side Effects
Mar 13, 2024 · Antibiotics are medicines that help stop infections caused by bacteria. They do this by killing the bacteria or by keeping them from copying themselves or reproducing. The word antibiotic …
Antibiotics: Uses, Types, Side Effects - Health
Nov 21, 2025 · Antibiotics kill bacteria using different mechanisms depending on the antibiotic class. They only treat bacterial infections, not viruses like the common cold or flu. Taking antibiotics as...
Antibiotics: What To Know - Cleveland Clinic
The chart below lists some of the antibiotic classes used in the U.S. along with examples of the individual medicines your provider might prescribe. These are just a few of the many available types …
Antibiotics - MedlinePlus
Apr 17, 2023 · Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Antibiotics can be …