Chemistry, mode of action, bacterial resistance, classification and adverse effects of beta-lactam antibiotics: A review

Abstract

Βeta-lactam antibiotics are heterocyclic compounds which contains saturated β-lactam ring (monobactam) or a bicyclic ring, in which a β-lactam ring fused to saturated or unsaturated five membered rings and unsaturated six membered ring. β-lactam antibiotics are a broad class of antibiotics, consisting of cephalosporins, penicillin derivatives, monobactams and carbapenems. Most β-lactam antibiotics have been used for treatment of bacterial infections by inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis in the bacterial organism and are the most widely used group of antibiotics. This review is aimed to discuss the chemistry, adverse effect, classification and activities of various classes of the beta lactam antibiotics.