What medication class is used to treat infections caused by MRSA?

The medication class primarily used to treat infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is glycopeptides. This class includes vancomycin, which is one of the first-line agents for MRSA infections. Vancomycin works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis in bacteria, which is particularly effective against Gram-positive organisms, including MRSA. The effectiveness of glycopeptides makes them the go-to treatment for serious MRSA infections, especially in cases involving bacteremia, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis.

Other classes of antibiotics, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and tetracyclines, have limited efficacy against MRSA due to the bacteria's resistance mechanisms. Methicillin and other penicillins cannot be used as they are ineffective against MRSA. Cephalosporins have variable activity depending on the generation, but the higher generations are also not reliable against MRSA. Tetracyclines, while they can be effective against some strains of MRSA, are not the first choice for treating serious infections. Therefore, glycopeptides are the preferred class for addressing MRSA infections.