Types of medicine
What Does Antibacterial Mean? Medicines Against Bacteria
Antibacterial · say it: an-tee-bak-TEER-ee-ulAlso written: antibacterial drug, antibacterial agent, antibacterials
Short answer
An antibacterial is a medicine or product that kills bacteria or stops them from growing. Antibacterial medicines do not work on viruses.
What it means
Antibacterial describes something that acts against bacteria, either killing them or stopping them from multiplying. Antibacterial medicines are a type of antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as many urinary, skin and chest infections. The word is also used for soaps and cleaning products.
US prescription labels for these medicines often include a standard message: to reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria, the medicine should be used only to treat infections proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria. Labels also remind you that antibacterial medicines do not treat viral infections like the common cold, and that you should finish the course as directed even if you feel better.
In everyday speech 'antibacterial' and 'antibiotic' are often used to mean the same thing. 'Antimicrobial' is a broader word that also includes medicines against viruses, fungi and parasites.
Where you may see it
- The 'Indications' section of antibiotic labels
- The standard 'drug-resistant bacteria' statement
- Pharmacy leaflets for antibiotics
📄 How it looks on a report
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria, this drug should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Antibacterial medicines do not work on colds or flu, which are caused by viruses.
- Feeling better does not always mean the infection is gone; follow the course you were given.
- Antibacterial soap is not needed for ordinary handwashing; plain soap and water works.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Antibacterial”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Amoxicillin
a penicillin-class antibacterial medicine that works against bacteria
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium
A penicillin-class antibacterial combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor, as the label describes it
- Ampicillin Sodium
a penicillin-type antibacterial medicine
- Azithromycin
a macrolide antibacterial (antibiotic) medicine
- Ceftriaxone
A broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, as described on the official FDA label
- Cephalexin
a cephalosporin antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections)
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Clindamycin Phosphate
A lincosamide antibacterial medicine
- Doxycycline
a tetracycline-class antibacterial medicine (an antibiotic)
- Isoniazid
An antibacterial medicine of the antimycobacterial type, used against tuberculosis bacteria
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Antibacterial” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “antibacterial”
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.