List of β-lactam antibiotics

The β-lactam core structures. (A) A penam. (B) A carbapenam. (C) An oxapenam. (D) A penem. (E) A carbapenem. (F) A monobactam. (G) A cephem. (H) A carbacephem. (I) An oxacephem.

This is a list of common β-lactam antibiotics—both administered drugs and those not in clinical use—organized by structural class. Antibiotics are listed alphabetically within their class or subclass by their nonproprietary name. If an antibiotic is a combination drug, both ingredients will be listed.

Penams[]

Penicillin G

Amoxicillin

Narrow-spectrum[]

β-lactamase-sensitive[]

β-lactamase-resistant[]

Broad spectrum[]

Extended spectrum (Antipseudomonal)[]

Carboxypenicillins[]

Ureidopenicillins[]

Cephems[]

Cephalosporin C

Cefoxitin

First generation (moderate spectrum)[]

Second generation (moderate spectrum)[]

cefuroxime, cefaclor, cefprozil

With anti-Haemophilus activity[]

With anti-anaerobic activity[]

Third generation (broad spectrum)[]

Fourth generation (broad spectrum)[]

(With β-lactamase stability and enhanced activity against Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa)

Fifth generation* (broad spectrum)[]

(activity against MRSA and variably VRE. *Not universally accepted nomenclature. NO Antipseudomonal activity, mostly ceftriaxone coverage with additional MRSA and some VRE)

Carbapenems and penems[]

(Broadest spectrum of β-lactam antibiotics)

Thienamycin

Monobactams[]

Aztreonam

β-lactamase inhibitors[]

Clavulanic Acid