Broad-spectrum antibiotic

A colored electron microscopy image of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium commonly targeted by broad-spectrum antibiotics

A broad-spectrum antibiotic is an antibiotic that acts on the two major bacterial groups, Gram-positive and Gram-negative,[1] or any antibiotic that acts against a wide range of disease-causing bacteria.[2] These medications are used when a bacterial infection is suspected but the group of bacteria is unknown (also called empiric therapy) or when infection with multiple groups of bacteria is suspected. This is in contrast to a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, which is effective against only a specific group of bacteria.[3] Although powerful, broad-spectrum antibiotics pose specific risks, particularly the disruption of native, normal bacteria and the development of antimicrobial resistance. An example of a commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic is ampicillin.[3]

  1. ^ Ory EM, Yow EM (July 1963). "The use and abuse of the broad spectrum antibiotics". JAMA. 185 (4): 273–9. doi:10.1001/jama.1963.03060040057022. PMID 13940450.
  2. ^ Clayton L. Thomas, ed. (1993). Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (17th ed.). F. A. Davis Co. ISBN 978-0-8036-8313-6.
  3. ^ a b Hopkins SJ (1997). Drugs and Pharmacology for Nurses (12th ed.). Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-443-05249-1.