What are bactericidal antibiotics also known as?

Bactericidal antibiotics are primarily known for their ability to kill bacteria rather than merely inhibiting their growth, which is characteristic of bacteriostatic antibiotics. Penicillins represent a broad class of bactericidal antibiotics that work by interfering with the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. This mechanism results in the lysis and death of the bacterial cells, making penicillins highly effective against a variety of bacterial infections.

The other options refer to different categories of medications that do not possess the bactericidal properties associated with penicillins. Analgesics are primarily used to relieve pain, opiates are specific types of analgesics derived from opium, and antipyretics are medications that reduce fever. Each of these classes serves distinct purposes in medical treatment and are not involved in the bactericidal action against bacterial pathogens. Thus, recognizing penicillins as bactericidal antibiotics highlights both their specific action and significance in treating infections.