Antibiotics – These are drugs used to treat infections because of their low toxicity for humans and animals.
These are chemical substances produced by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and molds) that inhibit the growth or even destroy microorganisms. Some purely synthetic compounds have antibacterial activity. Therefore, now antibiotics are refered to as substances produced wholly or partly by chemical synthesis, which in low concentrations inhibits the growth ordestroys microorganisms by intervening in their metabolic processes.
e.g. penicillin, aminoalycosides, ofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol etc.
Or
Antiseptics – These are chemicals which either kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms and are applied to the living tissues such as wounds, cuts, ulcers and diseased skin surfaces. These are not ingested like antibiotics.
e.g. furacine, soframicine, dettol, iodine, bithionol, 0.2% phenol etc.
Or
Disinfectants: These are chemicals which either kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms and are applied to inanimate objects such as floors, drainage system, instruments, etc.
e.g. 1% phenol, chlorine, sulphur dioxide, etc.
