What is a cephalosporin (cephalosporin antibiotic)?

From the Guidelines

Cephalosporins are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics that work by disrupting bacterial cell wall synthesis, causing bacterial cell death, and are commonly used to treat various bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, and are common choices for surgical prophylaxis. They are categorized into generations (first through fifth) based on their spectrum of activity against different bacteria, with first-generation cephalosporins working well against gram-positive bacteria, and later generations having increased activity against gram-negative organisms 1. These medications are typically administered orally or intravenously depending on the specific drug and infection severity.

• Common cephalosporins include cefazolin, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, and cefepime.
• Cephalosporins are frequently used to treat various infections, including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, and are common choices for surgical prophylaxis.
• Patients should be aware that cephalosporins may cause allergic reactions, particularly in those with penicillin allergies, although the cross-reactivity rate is lower than previously thought, ranging from 0.1% to 4.8% 1.
• Common side effects of cephalosporins include diarrhea, nausea, and rash.
• It's essential to complete the full prescribed course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before finishing the medication to ensure effective treatment and prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Some key points to consider when using cephalosporins include:
• The choice of cephalosporin depends on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the patient's medical history and potential allergies.
• Cephalosporins can be used in combination with other antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness against certain types of bacteria.
• The use of cephalosporins should be guided by local resistance patterns and susceptibility testing to ensure the most effective treatment and minimize the risk of resistance development.

From the FDA Drug Label

Cefepime for injection, USP is a semi-synthetic, broad spectrum, cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral administration. Ceftriaxone for Injection, USP is a sterile, semisynthetic, broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic for intravenous or intramuscular administration.

A cephalosporin is a type of antibiotic that belongs to a class of beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, meaning it is effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Cephalosporins, such as cefepime and ceftriaxone, are used to treat various bacterial infections. 2, 2, 3

From the Research

Definition of Cephalosporin

• A cephalosporin is a type of beta-lactam antimicrobial agent 4
• Cephalosporins are a large group of related beta-lactam antimicrobial agents with favorable attributes such as low rates of toxicity, relatively broad spectrum of activity, and ease of administration 4

Characteristics of Cephalosporins

• Cephalosporins differ in their gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic spectra, serum half-lives, penetration of the cerebrospinal fluid, and resistance to beta-lactamases 5
• The first-generation and some second-generation agents maintain excellent activity against streptococci and staphylococci, while the third-generation agents have expanded gram-negative coverage 5
• Fourth-generation agents, such as cefepime, provide excellent activity against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae 5, 4

Uses of Cephalosporins

• Cephalosporins are effective for treatment of many conditions, including pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia, and meningitis 4
• Third-generation cephalosporins are useful for empiric therapy of most severe infections in adults, particularly against clinically important gram-negative bacteria 6
• Cephalosporins are also used to treat respiratory tract infections, including upper and lower respiratory tract infections, and are effective against a range of pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7