1. Antibiotics

• Medicines that fight bacterial infections.

• Work by either killing bacteria (bactericidal) or stopping their growth (bacteriostatic).

• Examples: Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin.

• Uses: Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, throat infections.

• Note: They do not work against viruses like cold or flu.

2. Anti-Infectives

• A broad category that includes all medicines used to fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

• Can be antibiotics (for bacteria), antivirals (for viruses), antifungals (for fungi), or antiparasitic drugs.

• Examples:

  • Antiviral: Acyclovir (for herpes), Oseltamivir (for flu).

  • Antiparasitic: Albendazole, Ivermectin.

3. Antifungals

• Medicines that treat fungal infections of skin, nails, or internal organs.

• Work by damaging fungal cell walls or stopping their growth.

• Examples: Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole, Amphotericin B.

• Uses: Ringworm, athlete’s foot, oral thrush, systemic fungal infections.

Key Points:

• Antibiotics → target bacteria.

• Antifungals → target fungi.

• Anti-infectives → broad group covering bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites.

• Correct use is important to prevent resistance or side effects.