Antibiotic-induced sepsis occurs when antibiotics cause an excessive release of endotoxins or exotoxins from bacteria, triggering an inflammatory response. Certain antibiotics that target bacterial cell wall synthesis, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, are more likely to cause endotoxin release. The choice of antibiotic class and dose is important in severely ill septic patients to avoid additional toxin release. Aminoglycosides inhibit bacterial protein synthesis with less endotoxin release and can be combined with beta-lactam antibiotics to treat severe sepsis and septic shock while minimizing endotoxin liberation.