What generation of antibiotic is cephtriaxone (a third-generation cephalosporin)?

From the Guidelines

Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It belongs to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics and has enhanced activity against gram-negative bacteria compared to earlier generations of cephalosporins. Ceftriaxone works by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in bacterial cell walls, inhibiting cell wall synthesis and causing bacterial cell death. It has a broad spectrum of activity against many gram-negative organisms including Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria species, while maintaining good activity against gram-positive organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Key Characteristics of Ceftriaxone

• Ceftriaxone has the advantage of once-daily dosing due to its long half-life (approximately 8 hours) and is commonly administered at doses of 1-2 grams daily for most infections, with treatment duration varying based on the specific infection being treated.
• It is typically given intravenously or intramuscularly and is commonly used for serious infections including meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and gonorrhea.
• Unlike first and second-generation cephalosporins, ceftriaxone can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it suitable for treating central nervous system infections.

Clinical Use and Recommendations

• According to the most recent guidelines, ceftriaxone is recommended as a first-line antibiotic for the treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), with a resolution rate of approximately 90% 1.
• The recommended dose of ceftriaxone is 1 g every 12-24 hours, administered intravenously 1.
• It is essential to note that the treatment duration should vary according to the symptoms and/or results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and antibiotics should be replaced in accordance with the susceptibility results of bacteria cultured from ascites or blood 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Ceftriaxone is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis Ceftriaxone has activity in the presence of some beta-lactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases, of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Cephtriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic 2.

From the Research

Ceftriaxone Classification

• Ceftriaxone is classified as a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Characteristics of Third-Generation Cephalosporins

• Third-generation cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone, have a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria 3, 4, 5, 7
• They are particularly effective against Gram-negative bacteria, but may have reduced activity against some Gram-positive bacteria compared to earlier generations of cephalosporins 3

Specific Properties of Ceftriaxone

• Ceftriaxone has a long half-life, which allows for once-daily dosing 3, 4, 5, 7
• It is effective against a wide range of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract, urinary tract, soft tissue, bone and joint infections, and gonorrhea 3, 4, 5
• Ceftriaxone has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated, with few significant side effects 3, 4, 5