Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Background
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prescribing reports for 2024, an estimated 255.9 million oral antibiotics were prescribed in the outpatient setting, corresponding to a rate of 752 prescriptions per 1,000 persons. This volume of prescribing reflects the effectiveness of antibiotics in reducing infection-related morbidity and mortality. However, no pharmacologic therapy is without risk. Beta-lactams and tetracyclines remain among the most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes in the United States. The purpose of this study is to conduct a narrative literature review examining the reported side effects associated with these and discuss their clinical significance.
Methods
The methodology of this study is a retrospective review of literature consisting of case reports, case series, systematic reviews or other published literature from January to December 2024, detailing the common adverse effects of tetracyclines, beta-lactams, and combinations of beta-lactams with beta-lactamase inhibitors. Individual case reports from various regions were selected and analyzed to provide evidence-based insights into rarer, clinically relevant side effects, emphasizing the importance of establishing appropriate monitoring and treatment protocols. This review facilitates a discussion of current trends in antibiotic-associated adverse effects, highlighting key considerations for patient safety and clinical practice.
Results
This review examined the distinct adverse effects of beta-lactam antibiotics and tetracyclines. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Cochrane databases to identify articles published from January to December 2024 addressing antibacterial side effects and toxicities. Keyword searches focused on major antibiotic drug classes, including beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and combination products containing beta-lactamase inhibitors) and tetracyclines. Beta-lactam antibiotics were most commonly associated with hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal disturbances, with less frequent occurrences of neurotoxicity and renal impairment. Tetracyclines were primarily associated with photosensitivity, esophageal injury, and gastrointestinal adverse effects, with less frequent occurrences of hepatotoxicity. Differences in adverse effect profiles between these antibiotic classes highlight important safety and tolerability considerations. Rare adverse events were also identified. Case reports describe mania induced by amoxicillin, referred to as anti-biomania. Amoxicillin-clavulanate has been associated with serotonin syndrome, a condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity. Additionally, doxycycline has been linked to rare cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Overall, beta-lactams demonstrated a pattern of immune-mediated reactions, whereas tetracyclines more commonly produced dose-related and tissue-specific toxicities, particularly affecting dermatologic and gastrointestinal systems.
Conclusions
This retrospective review highlights common and rare adverse effects of tetracyclines, beta-lactams, and beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Drawing on literature from multiple regions, it emphasizes the importance of vigilant patient safety monitoring. By compiling available evidence, this study provides clinicians with a cohesive reference list of adverse effects to help guide treatment decisions. The findings support the need for practitioners to implement and maintain appropriate monitoring and management protocols for both common and uncommon events. Although this review meets its objective, future prospective studies could strengthen understanding of incidence, outcomes, and overall clinical impact of antibiotic-associated adverse effects.
Embargo Period
6-2-2026
Included in
Side Effects of Antibiotics: Beta Lactams and Tetracyclines
Suwanee, GA
Background
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prescribing reports for 2024, an estimated 255.9 million oral antibiotics were prescribed in the outpatient setting, corresponding to a rate of 752 prescriptions per 1,000 persons. This volume of prescribing reflects the effectiveness of antibiotics in reducing infection-related morbidity and mortality. However, no pharmacologic therapy is without risk. Beta-lactams and tetracyclines remain among the most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes in the United States. The purpose of this study is to conduct a narrative literature review examining the reported side effects associated with these and discuss their clinical significance.
Methods
The methodology of this study is a retrospective review of literature consisting of case reports, case series, systematic reviews or other published literature from January to December 2024, detailing the common adverse effects of tetracyclines, beta-lactams, and combinations of beta-lactams with beta-lactamase inhibitors. Individual case reports from various regions were selected and analyzed to provide evidence-based insights into rarer, clinically relevant side effects, emphasizing the importance of establishing appropriate monitoring and treatment protocols. This review facilitates a discussion of current trends in antibiotic-associated adverse effects, highlighting key considerations for patient safety and clinical practice.
Results
This review examined the distinct adverse effects of beta-lactam antibiotics and tetracyclines. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Cochrane databases to identify articles published from January to December 2024 addressing antibacterial side effects and toxicities. Keyword searches focused on major antibiotic drug classes, including beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and combination products containing beta-lactamase inhibitors) and tetracyclines. Beta-lactam antibiotics were most commonly associated with hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal disturbances, with less frequent occurrences of neurotoxicity and renal impairment. Tetracyclines were primarily associated with photosensitivity, esophageal injury, and gastrointestinal adverse effects, with less frequent occurrences of hepatotoxicity. Differences in adverse effect profiles between these antibiotic classes highlight important safety and tolerability considerations. Rare adverse events were also identified. Case reports describe mania induced by amoxicillin, referred to as anti-biomania. Amoxicillin-clavulanate has been associated with serotonin syndrome, a condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity. Additionally, doxycycline has been linked to rare cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Overall, beta-lactams demonstrated a pattern of immune-mediated reactions, whereas tetracyclines more commonly produced dose-related and tissue-specific toxicities, particularly affecting dermatologic and gastrointestinal systems.
Conclusions
This retrospective review highlights common and rare adverse effects of tetracyclines, beta-lactams, and beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Drawing on literature from multiple regions, it emphasizes the importance of vigilant patient safety monitoring. By compiling available evidence, this study provides clinicians with a cohesive reference list of adverse effects to help guide treatment decisions. The findings support the need for practitioners to implement and maintain appropriate monitoring and management protocols for both common and uncommon events. Although this review meets its objective, future prospective studies could strengthen understanding of incidence, outcomes, and overall clinical impact of antibiotic-associated adverse effects.