What medicines used to kill or stop the growth of microorganisms are called?

Medicines used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms are called antimicrobials. This category includes antibiotics, which target bacteria, antifungals for fungal infections, antivirals for viral infections, and antiparasitics for parasitic diseases. These medications work by disrupting essential processes in the microorganisms, leading to their destruction or inhibiting their reproduction.