RT Book, Section A1 Hilal-Dandan, Randa A1 Brunton, Laurence L. SR Print(0) ID 1127553634 T1 Penicillins, Cephalosporins, and Other β-Lactam Antibiotics T2 Goodman and Gilman's Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2e YR 2016 FD 2016 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071769174 LK hemonc.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1127553634 RD 2024/03/29 AB The β-lactam antibiotics—penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems—share a common structure and mechanism of action, inhibition of the synthesis of the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall. Bacterial resistance against the β-lactam antibiotics continues to increase at a dramatic rate. β-Lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanate can extend the utility of these drugs against β-lactamase-producing organisms. Unfortunately, resistance includes not only production of β-lactamases but also alterations in or acquisition of novel penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and decreased entry and/or active efflux of the antibiotic. To a dangerous degree, we are re-entering the pre-antibiotic era, with many nosocomial gram-negative bacterial infections resistant to all available antibiotics.