Question

Among the following, the narrow spectrum antibiotic is:

• A. penicillin G
• B. ampicillin
• C. amoxycillin
• D. chloramphenicol

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine which of the given options is a narrow spectrum antibiotic, we first need to understand what a narrow spectrum antibiotic is. Narrow spectrum antibiotics are effective against a specific group of bacteria, in contrast to broad-spectrum antibiotics, which target a wider range of bacteria.

Let's evaluate each option:

1. Penicillin G: This antibiotic belongs to the penicillin group and is known to be a narrow spectrum antibiotic. It is primarily effective against Gram-positive bacteria and some Gram-negative cocci but not against a wide range of bacteria.
2. Ampicillin: Ampicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is effective against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including some penicillinase-producing strains, which makes it broader in action compared to Penicillin G.
3. Amoxycillin: Similar to ampicillin, amoxycillin is also a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including those resistant to penicillin.
4. Chloramphenicol: This is another broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is used to treat infections by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as rickettsiae, chlamydiae, and mycoplasmas.

Based on the definitions and antibiotic classifications, Penicillin G is a narrow spectrum antibiotic as it is effective mainly against a limited group of bacteria, specifically Gram-positive ones.

Therefore, among the given options, the correct answer is Penicillin G.