Chemicals and Drugs

beta Lactam Antibiotics

Bactericidal agents that contain a beta-lactam ring in their chemical structure. They inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to PENICILLIN-BINDING PROTEINS, preventing the synthesis of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Bactericidal agents that contain a beta-lactam ring in their chemical structure. They inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to PENICILLIN-BINDING PROTEINS, preventing the synthesis of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

8 entry terms
  • beta Lactam Antibacterial Agents
  • beta Lactam Antibacterials
  • beta-Lactam Antibiotics
  • Antibacterials, beta Lactam
  • Antibiotics, beta Lactam
  • Antibiotics, beta-Lactam
  • Lactam Antibacterials, beta
  • Lactam Antibiotics, beta

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

22 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

2024

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents (1967-2023)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D27.505.954.122.085w.386w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. beta Lactam Antibiotics. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000097902. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000097902
  2. beta Lactam Antibiotics. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%92-Lactam_antibiotic
  3. beta Lactam Antibiotics. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q306264