Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Main DifferenceThe main difference between antibacterial and antibiotic is that antibacterial is the physical agents or chemicals that are used against bacteria, whereas an antibiotic is the physical agents or chemicals that are used against microorganisms.
Difference Between Antibacterial and Antibiotic
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a drug or a chemical substance that is specifically used to kill bacterial cells whereas an antibiotic can be defined as any drug or chemical substance that is used to kill bacteria, fungi, and parasites, etc.
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Antibacterial is a subset; on the other hand; antibiotic is a superset.
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Antibacterials target bacteria conversely, antibiotics, target bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Antibacterials target prokaryotic cells on the flip side; antibiotics target both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Antibacterials target peptidoglycan cell wall, bacterial DNA, and its metabolism while antibiotics target both bacterial peptidoglycan and fungal chitin and glucan cell walls and DNA of parasites.
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Antibacterials are found in substances that are used as soaps, ointments, and disinfectants, etc. on the other hand; antibiotics are used as medicines that are taken as tablets, capsules or through an intravenous line.
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Antibacterials are less harmful to people because they only target prokaryotic cells, whereas, antibiotics are more harmful because they target both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
Antibacterials are divided into bactericidal and bacteriostatic while antibiotics are divided into antibacterials, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
Antibacterialadjective
Killing or inhibiting bacteria.
This drug has an antibacterial effect.Antibioticnoun
(pharmaceutical drug) Any substance that can destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria and similar microorganisms, generally transported by the lymphatic system.
Antibacterialadjective
(archaic) Opposing the theory that diseases are caused by bacteria.
Antibioticadjective
(pharmaceutical effect) Of or relating to antibiotics.
Antibacterialnoun
(pharmacology) A drug having the effect of killing or inhibiting bacteria.
Many household products contain antibacterials.Antibioticadjective
(obsolete) Of or relating to the theory that extraterrestrial life does not exist.
Antibacterialnoun
any drug that destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth
Antibioticnoun
a chemical substance derivable from a mold or bacterium that kills microorganisms and cures infections;
when antibiotics were first discovered they were called wonder drugsAntibacterialadjective
destroying bacteria or inhibiting their growth
Antibioticadjective
of or relating to antibiotic drugs
Comparison Chart
| Antibacterial | Antibiotic |
| An antibacterial is a drug or a chemical substance that is specifically used to kill bacterial cells. | An antibiotic can be defined as any drug or chemical substance that is used to kill bacteria, fungi, and parasites, etc. |
| Quality | |
| Antibacterial is a subset. | Antibiotic is a superset. |
| Target Organism | |
| Antibacterial target bacteria. | Antibiotics target bacteria, fungi, and parasites. |
| Target Cells | |
| Antibacterials target prokaryotic cells. | Antibiotics target both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. |
| Targeted Cell Sites | |
| Antibacterials target peptidoglycan cell wall, bacterial DNA, and its metabolism. | Antibiotics target both bacterial peptidoglycan and fungal chitin and glucan cell walls and DNA of parasites. |
| Found In | |
| Antibacterials are found in substances that are used as soaps, ointments, and disinfectants, etc. | Antibiotics are used as medicines that are taken as tablets, capsules, or through an intravenous line. |
| Side Effects | |
| Antibacterials are less harmful to people because they only target prokaryotic cells. | Antibiotics are more harmful because they target both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. |
| Types | |
| Antibacterials are divided into bacteriocidal and bacteriostatic. | Antibiotics are divided into antibacterials, antifungals, and antiparasitics. |
Antibacterial vs. Antibiotic
“Anti” means against. Antibacterial means that chemicals or drugs that are used against bacteria, whereas “bio” means “life” so antibiotics mean that chemicals or drugs that are used against microorganisms. It’s mean that antibiotics are a broad term that also covers antibacterials. So, we can say that all antibiotic can be used as antibacterials too whereas all antibacterials are not antibiotics. We can get antibacterial and antibiotics naturally or can be synthesized artificially or by semi-synthetic mode. All of these drugs vary in their mode of action or their target. The first antibiotic was Penicillin that was discovered by Alexander Flemming. Now many other drugs have been discovered like Amoxicillin, Cloxacillin, Aminoglycosides, and Cephalosporin, etc.
What is Antibacterial?
Antibacterials are the compounds or agents that are used to either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria which are harmful to the body. So, these are the substances that are only effective against prokaryotic organisms that have the features typical of a bacterial cell. They produced naturally and can also be obtained artificially by synthesizing in the laboratory. Antibacterials target on specific features of bacteria, e.g., the peptidoglycan cell wall, DNA of bacterial or metabolism that is unique to bacteria. As, Antibacterials only target prokaryotic cells so, they are less harmful to people. Antibacterials are found in substances, e.g., soaps, ointments, and disinfectants, etc. Overuse of these chemicals, like excessive washing with hand sanitizers, may cause allergies later in life.
Types
- Bactericidal: Bactericidal are the antibacterials that completely kill or destroy bacterial cells.
- Bacteriostatic: Bacteriostatic are antibacterials that inhibit the reproduction and growth of bacteria.
What is Antibiotic?
Antibiotic is any drug or chemical substance that is used to kill bacteria, fungi, and parasites, etc. So, it’s mean it can be used against both prokaryote and eukaryote organisms. They can also be obtained both naturally and artificially. Most of the antibiotics have been discovered by observing the natural organisms fighting against bacteria. Antibiotics can target both bacterial peptidoglycan and fungal chitin and glucan cell walls and DNA of parasites. Antibiotics are more harmful because they target both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. They can also kill useful bacteria and may also affect our body cells. Antibiotics are used as medicines that are taken as tablets, capsules, or through an intravenous line.
Types
- Antibacterials: They kill bacteria.
- Antifungals: They kill fungi.
- Antiparasitics: They kill parasites.
ConclusionFrom the above discussion, it is summarized that both antibacterials and antibiotics are chemicals or drugs. Antibacterial kills harmful bacteria specifically that affect our body, whereas, an antibiotic is a broad term that includes all antibacterials, antifungals, and antiparasitics, etc.
