Which drug class does NOT include agents that inhibit bacterial growth?

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that work by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, leading to bacterial cell death rather than simply inhibiting their growth. This mechanism categorizes aminoglycosides as bactericidal agents, which means they kill bacteria rather than just slowing their growth.

On the other hand, beta-lactams, tetracyclines, and macrolides primarily have bacteriostatic effects; they inhibit bacterial growth by either disrupting cell wall synthesis (beta-lactams) or inhibiting protein synthesis in a way that prevents bacteria from multiplying (both tetracyclines and macrolides). Therefore, the distinction lies in the action of aminoglycosides as bactericidal agents, contrasting with the other classes that typically inhibit growth without necessarily killing the bacteria outright.