From the Guidelines
Bacteriostatic antibiotics, such as tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline), macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin), sulfonamides (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), and lincosamides (clindamycin), are effective in treating various infections by inhibiting bacterial growth without directly killing bacteria, allowing the immune system to clear the infection 1.
Common Bacteriostatic Antibiotics
- Tetracyclines: doxycycline, minocycline, used for respiratory infections, acne, Lyme disease, and certain sexually transmitted infections at doses typically ranging from 100-200mg once or twice daily for 7-14 days depending on the infection 1.
- Macrolides: azithromycin, clarithromycin, prescribed for respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and H. pylori eradication 1.
- Sulfonamides: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, effective for urinary tract infections and skin infections 1.
- Lincosamides: clindamycin, used for anaerobic infections and dental infections 1.
Important Considerations
- These antibiotics work by interfering with protein synthesis or metabolic pathways rather than destroying bacterial cell walls.
- It's essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve, as stopping early can lead to antibiotic resistance or recurrent infection.
- The use of bacteriostatic antibiotics should be guided by the principles of antimicrobial stewardship to minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance and adverse outcomes 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Tetracyclines are primarily bacteriostatic and are thought to exert their antimicrobial effect by the inhibition of protein synthesis. Tetracyclines are primarily bacteriostatic and exert their antimicrobial effect by the inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit.
Bacteriostatic Antibiotics include:
- Doxycycline
- Tetracycline
These antibiotics work by inhibiting protein synthesis, which slows down the growth of bacteria. They are effective against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, including some anaerobes and other microorganisms. 2 3
From the Research
Bacteriostatic Antibiotics
- Bacteriostatic antibiotics are a class of antibiotics that inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria, rather than killing them outright 4, 5.
- Examples of bacteriostatic antibiotics include:
- Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline and minocycline, which are effective against a wide range of bacteria, including those that cause skin and soft tissue infections 6, 7.
- Chloramphenicol, which is used to treat anaerobic infections, Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, and infections caused by Salmonella typhi 4.
- Erythromycin, which is effective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci 4.
- Clindamycin, which is used to treat anaerobic infections, including those caused by Bacteroides and Fusobacterium species 4, 7.
- Linezolid and tigecycline, which are effective against a wide range of bacteria, including those that cause pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, and skin and soft tissue infections 5.
Common Uses of Bacteriostatic Antibiotics
- Bacteriostatic antibiotics are commonly used to treat a variety of infections, including:
- Skin and soft tissue infections, such as cellulitis and abscesses 7.
- Respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis 5.
- Anaerobic infections, such as those caused by Bacteroides and Fusobacterium species 4, 7.
- Infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae 4, 5.