Definition

Noun: - A polypeptide antibiotic derived from certain bacteria, specifically effective against various Gram-positive bacteria. It is typically used in topical applications (applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes) and is not usually administered systemically.

Usage

• Bacitracin is primarily used as a topical antibiotic. This means it is applied to the skin's surface to prevent or treat minor infections in cuts, scrapes, and burns.
• It is commonly found in over-the-counter ointment form, often combined with other ingredients like neomycin and polymyxin B.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor recommended applying a thin layer of bacitracin to the wound twice a day.
  • This first-aid ointment contains bacitracin to help prevent infection.
  • Due to its potential for kidney toxicity, bacitracin is rarely given by injection.

Advanced Usage

• "Bacitracin zinc": A common, more stable salt form of the antibiotic used in pharmaceutical preparations.
  • The ointment uses bacitracin zinc as its active ingredient.

Variants and Related Words

• Polypeptide (noun): A type of molecule; bacitracin is classified as a polypeptide antibiotic.
• Topical antibiotic (noun phrase): A category of medication applied to body surfaces; bacitracin is a prime example.
• Gram-positive (adjective): A classification of bacteria that bacitracin is effective against.

Synonyms

• Topical antimicrobial: A general term for substances that kill or inhibit microorganisms on surfaces like the skin.
• (Note: There are few direct synonyms, as "bacitracin" is a specific drug name. It is often referred to by its brand names or as a "topical antibiotic ointment.")

Related Phrases / Collocations

• Bacitracin ointment: The standard form of the medication.
  • Keep a tube of bacitracin ointment in your medicine cabinet.
• Bacitracin-resistant: Describing bacteria that are not killed by this antibiotic.
  • The emergence of bacitracin-resistant strains is a concern.

Noun

1. a polypeptide antibiotic of known chemical structure effective against several types of Gram-positive organisms; usually applied locally