Bacteriostatic Vs Bactericidal

Summary

In this video, PharmaQuestions explains the key differences between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics. Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria directly and do not rely on the immune system, while bacteriostatic antibiotics stop bacterial growth and require the immune system's help. The video highlights that bactericidal antibiotics are often more effective in immunocompromised patients and less likely to cause bacterial regrowth. Examples of each type are provided, with bactericidal antibiotics like vancomycin and penicillin, and bacteriostatic ones like clindamycin and tetracyclines. A helpful mnemonic is shared to remember the examples of each type.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria directly, requiring no help from the immune system.
• 😀 Bacteriostatic antibiotics stop bacteria from growing or multiplying, relying on the immune system to clear the infection.
• 😀 The term 'cidal' in bactericidal antibiotics relates to killing (e.g., homicide, genocide).
• 😀 The term 'static' in bacteriostatic antibiotics refers to stopping motion or growth, rather than killing.
• 😀 Bactericidal antibiotics are more suitable for immunocompromised patients as they do not depend on the immune system.
• 😀 Bactericidal antibiotics prevent the regrowth of bacteria after treatment ends.
• 😀 Bacteriostatic antibiotics can cause bacterial regrowth after treatment is stopped, which can contribute to resistance.
• 😀 Examples of bactericidal antibiotics include vancomycin, aminoglycosides, metronidazole, penicillin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins.
• 😀 A mnemonic to remember bactericidal antibiotics is 'Vamp FC' (Vancomycin, Aminoglycosides, Metronidazole, Penicillin, Fluoroquinolones, Cephalosporins).
• 😀 Examples of bacteriostatic antibiotics include clindamycin, tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline), macrolides (e.g., erythromycin), and chloramphenicol.
• 😀 A mnemonic for bacteriostatic antibiotics is 'coloured teeth may cause terror' (referring to side effects like staining teeth).

Q & A

What is the key difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?

The key difference is that bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria, while bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit the growth or multiplication of bacteria without killing them.

How can the function of bactericidal antibiotics be remembered?

Bactericidal antibiotics can be remembered by the suffix '-cidal', which means to kill, such as in words like homicide and genocide.

Do bactericidal antibiotics require the immune system to work?

No, bactericidal antibiotics do not require any help from the immune system to kill the bacteria.

How do bacteriostatic antibiotics work?

Bacteriostatic antibiotics work by preventing the bacteria from multiplying or growing, but they do not kill the bacteria.

Why do bacteriostatic antibiotics require the help of the immune system?

Since bacteriostatic antibiotics do not kill the bacteria, they rely on the patient's immune system to clear the infection by eliminating the bacteria.

Why is it better to choose a bactericidal antibiotic for immunocompromised patients?

Immunocompromised patients may have a weakened immune system, so a bactericidal antibiotic, which kills the bacteria directly, is more effective for them.

What happens when treatment with bactericidal antibiotics is withdrawn?

When treatment with bactericidal antibiotics is stopped, the bacteria do not regrow because the antibiotics have already killed them.

What can happen when bacteriostatic antibiotics are withdrawn?

When treatment with bacteriostatic antibiotics is withdrawn, the bacteria can regrow, which is why these antibiotics are more commonly associated with resistance.

Can you name some examples of bactericidal antibiotics?

Examples of bactericidal antibiotics include vancomycin, aminoglycosides, metronidazole, penicillin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins.

What mnemonic can help remember the examples of bactericidal antibiotics?

The mnemonic 'Vamp FC' can help remember bactericidal antibiotics, representing vancomycin, aminoglycosides, metronidazole, penicillin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins.

Can you name some examples of bacteriostatic antibiotics?

Examples of bacteriostatic antibiotics include clindamycin, tetracyclines (like doxycycline, minocycline, and lymecycline), macrolides (like erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin), and chloramphenicol.

What mnemonic can help remember the examples of bacteriostatic antibiotics?

The mnemonic 'coloured teeth may cause terror' can help remember the examples of bacteriostatic antibiotics.