Peptide Antibiotics
10 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- BacitracinBacitracin is a cyclic peptide antibiotic belonging to the peptide‑antibiotic family. It is approved for over‑the‑counter use and marketed in several formulations, including topical ointments, ophthalmic drops, intramuscular injections and oral preparations. Clinically it is employed to treat skin and eye infections caused by susceptible Gram‑positive bacteria and is a component of combination products such as bacitracin‑colistin‑hydrocortisone ear drops.
- CapreomycinCapreomycin is an approved cyclic peptide antibiotic used as part of injectable regimens for multidrug‑resistant tuberculosis (MDR‑TB). It is administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection and is listed among second‑line drugs for patients whose disease is resistant to first‑line agents.
- EchinomycinEchinomycin is a cyclic depsipeptide (quinoxaline) antibiotic produced by Streptomyces species. It belongs to the bisintercalator family, binding DNA at two sites and has been investigated as an antitumor agent and as a direct inhibitor of hypoxia‑inducible factor‑1 (HIF‑1) transcriptional activity. Research has progressed from biosynthetic studies to early‑phase clinical trials, but the compound remains in the experimental stage.
- EnviomycinEnviomycin is a cyclic peptide antibiotic of the tuberactinomycin family, approved for prescription use and administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection. Historically it has been employed against mycobacterial infections such as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and pulmonary tuberculosis, often in combination with rifampicin and isoniazid. Recent computational work has also explored its potential as a SARS‑CoV‑2 main protease inhibitor.
- FusafungineFusafungine is a cyclic depsipeptide mixture derived from fungi and marketed as a prescription nasal or oropharyngeal spray for upper respiratory tract infections. It has been used to treat acute laryngitis, follicular pharyngitis, and post‑tonsillectomy discomfort, aiming to combine local antibacterial and anti‑inflammatory effects.
- Gramicidin DGramicidin D is a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide belonging to the channel‑forming ionophore class. It is approved for over‑the‑counter use in ophthalmic and topical formulations, often combined with other antibiotics. By inserting into microbial membranes and forming pores that allow uncontrolled flow of Na+, K+ and H+ ions, it collapses membrane potential and leads to cell death.
- MurepavadinMurepavadin (also known as POL7080 or RG7929) is an investigational cyclic peptidomimetic antibiotic that selectively targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Developed for serious respiratory infections such as hospital‑acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator‑associated bacterial pneumonia, it belongs to a novel class of outer‑membrane protein‑targeting agents. Early clinical studies have explored both intravenous and inhaled delivery, aiming to address multidrug‑resistant (MDR) and extensively drug‑resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa strains that limit current therapeutic options.
- RamoplaninRamoplanin is an investigational glycodepsipeptide antibiotic administered orally. It is being studied for the prevention of bloodstream infection in patients colonized with vancomycin‑resistant enterococci (VRE) and for treatment of Clostridium difficile‑associated diarrhea. The compound shows bactericidal activity against a broad range of Gram‑positive bacteria, including strains resistant to vancomycin, methicillin, and other classes.
- TyrothricinTyrothricin is a topical and oromucosal antimicrobial peptide mixture containing gramicidin and tyrocidine. It is sold over‑the‑counter for superficial skin lesions, infected wounds and, in some formulations, sore‑throat relief. The preparation exploits broad‑spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi and certain viruses, and is marketed as a low‑resistance alternative to conventional antibiotics.
- ViomycinViomycin (also known as Florimycin or Tuberactinomycin B) is a cyclic peptide antibiotic that was historically employed as an injectable second‑line treatment for drug‑resistant tuberculosis. Administered intramuscularly, it targets the bacterial ribosome and has been withdrawn from the WHO Essential Medicines List, leaving it primarily of research interest today.