Cephalosporins

• 1st Gen Cephalosporins
  • Cefazolin, Cephalexin
    • Skin and soft tissue infections (why is agent of choice before gen sx)
  • Cross-reactivity of PCN allergy <10%
• 2nd Gen Cephalosporins
  • Cefuroxime
    • Intestinal anaerobes (why is agent of chioce for colorectal sx)
    • Largely displaced by 3rd gen agents
• 3rd Gen Cephalosporins
  • Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, Cefixime
    • Drug of choice for serious infections due to:
      • Klebsiella
      • Enterobacter
      • Proteus
      • Haemophilus
    • Gonorrhea
    • Lyme disease
    • Meningitis (+ vanc and ampicillin)
    • Pseudomonas meningitis (+ AG)
• 4th Gen Cephalosporins
  • Cefepime
    • Resistant, nosocomial infections

• Aztreonam
  • Antimicrobial activity more closely resembles AG's (only active against gram -)
    • Enterobacter, pseudomonas, H. influenzae, gonococci
    • Little allergic cross-reactivity with B-lactam antibiotics

See Also

• Antibiotics (Main)

Source

Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacology