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
Narrow-spectrum
β-lactamase-sensitive
Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G) Benzathine penicillin G Benzathine penicillin V Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) Procaine penicillin Pheneticillin
β-lactamase-resistant
Cloxacillin Dicloxacillin Flucloxacillin Methicillin Nafcillin Oxacillin Temocillin
Broad spectrum
Amoxicillin Ampicillin
Extended spectrum (Antipseudomonal)
Mecillinam Piperacillin Carbenicillin Ticarcillin
Carboxypenicillins
Carbenicillin Ticarcillin
Ureidopenicillins
Azlocillin Mezlocillin Piperacillin
Cephems
First generation (moderate spectrum)
Cefazolin Cephalexin Cephalosporin C Cephalothin Cefapirin
Second generation (moderate spectrum) cefuroxime, cefaclor, cefprozil
With anti-Haemophilus activity
Cefaclor Cefamandole Cefuroxime
With anti-anaerobic activity
Cefotetan Cefoxitin
Third generation (broad spectrum)
Cefixime Cefotaxime Cefpodoxime Ceftazidime Ceftriaxone Cefdinir
Fourth generation (broad spectrum) (With β-lactamase stability and enhanced activity against Gram-positive bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa)
Cefepime Cefpirome
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)
Ceftaroline, Ceftobiprole
Carbapenems and penems (Broadest spectrum of β-lactam antibiotics)
Biapenem Doripenem Ertapenem Faropenem Imipenem Meropenem Panipenem Razupenem Tebipenem pivoxil Thienamycin
Monobactams
Aztreonam Tigemonam Nocardicin A Tabtoxinine β-lactam (does not inhibit penicillin-binding proteins)
β-lactamase inhibitors
Clavulanic acid Tazobactam Sulbactam Avibactam