Both fall under antimicrobials, a general category of compounds that kills microbes (bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens). An antibacterial is an antibiotic, but as the name implies, it can only target bacteria. Antibiotics, on the other hand, can kill or keep pathogens from growing.
When you go through the cabinets at work with all of the first aid items, and you are either looking for something to help relieve pain – or taking stock of inventory, it is sometimes overwhelming with all of the products that are available on the market. The question that many do not know is when to use a Single Antibiotic Ointment with Bacitracin or Neomycin; or jump to the next level up and use a Triple Antibiotic Ointment that contains Bacitracin Zinc, Neomycin Sulfate and Polymyxin-B Sulfate.