infections
Cephalosporins
Introduction
Cephalosporins are a subclass of Overview of Antibiotics called beta-lactam antibiotics (antibiotics that have a chemical structure called a beta-lactam ring). Beta-lactam antibiotics also include There are five main classifications or generations of cephalosporins. The different generations are effective against different types of bacteria. Most bacteria have an outer covering (cell wall) that protects them. Like the other beta-lactam antibiotics, cephalosporins work by preventing bacteria from forming this cell wall, resulting in death of the bacteria. Because cephalosporins are structurally similar to the penicillins, some people who have an Allergies to Drugs to penicillins may have an allergic reaction to certain cephalosporins. A health care practitioner can help assess the risk of allergic cross-reactivity between specific antibiotics in people who believe they have had an allergic reaction. Drug Drug Common Uses Common Uses Some Potential Side Effects Some Potential Side Effects 1st generation 1st generation Cefadroxil Cefazolin Cephalexin Mainly Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections None Given before surgical procedures to prevent infections Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) 2nd generation 2nd generation Cefaclor Cefotetan Cefoxitin Cefprozil Cefuroxime Some respiratory infections Forcefoxitin:Abdominal infections Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) 3rd generation 3rd generation Cefdinir Cefditoren Cefixime Cefotaxime Cefoperazone Cefpodoxime Ceftazidime Ceftibuten Ceftriaxone Given by mouth:Broad coverage of many bacteria for people with mild-to-moderate infections, including skin and soft-tissue infections Serious infections (such as Acute Bacterial Meningitis or Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) 4th generation 4th generation Cefepime Serious infections (including Pseudomonas Infections ), particularly in people with a weakened immune system, and infections due to susceptible bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) 5th generation 5th generation Ceftaroline ( Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ) and Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) Ceftobiprole† ( Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ) and Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) Novel cephalosporins Novel cephalosporins Cefiderocol Overview of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) due to susceptible bacteria, such as Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) Ceftolozane plus tazobactam Complicated urinary tract or abdominal infections, or Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia or ventilator-associated pneumonia due to sensitive organisms Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) Kidney and liver problems * Almost any antibiotic can cause Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile–Induced Colitis and inflammation of the colon (colitis), but † Ceftobiprole is not available in the United States. (See also Overview of Antibiotics .) 