Cephalosporin

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(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Base structure of all cephalosporins.

Cephalosporins are a class of antibiotic compounds sharing a common base structure, 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA), that was derived from the first cephalosporin discovered, cephalosporin C. Penicillins are very similar, although they contain a five-membered ring in place of the six-membered ring present in the cephalosporin. The activity of cephalosporins, penicillins, and some other antibiotics are due to the presence of a beta-lactam, which binds irreversibly, via acylation, to penicillin-binding proteins, thereby inhibiting the peptidogycan layer of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cephalosporins are often made semisynthetically. Cephalosporins and the very closely relatedcephamycins are collectively referred to as cephems.

Nomenclature[edit]

Because the original cephalosporins used the "ceph" form of the spelling and were often trademarked, the International Nonproprietary Names (INN) suggested by the World Health Organization use the "cef" spelling for the generic drug name of all cephalosporins.

First generation cephalosporins[edit]

• Cefacetrile
• Cefadroxil
• Cefalexin
• Cefaloglycin
• Cefalonium
• Cefaloridine
• Cefalotin
• Cefapirin
• Cefatrizine
• Cefazaflur
• Cefazedone
• Cefazolin
• Cefradine
• Cefroxadine
• Ceftezole

Second generation cephalosporins[edit]

In general, second generation cephalosporins have a broader spectrum of activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

• Cefaclor
• Cefonicid
• Cefprozil
• Cefuroxime
• Cefuzonam
• Cefmetazole
• Cefotetan
• Cefoxitin

Third generation cephalosporins[edit]

The third generation has additional activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• Cefcapene
• Cefdaloxime
• Cefdinir
• Cefditoren
• Cefetamet
• Cefixime
• Cefmenoxime
• Cefodizime
• Cefoperazone
• Cefotaxime
• Cefpimizole
• Cefpodoxime
• Ceftazidime
• Cefteram
• Ceftibuten
• Ceftiofur
• Ceftiolene
• Ceftizoxime
• Ceftriaxone

Fourth generation cephalosporins[edit]

While still active against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this class has much better activity against gram-positive organisms than the third-generation antipseudomonals. The single approved agent is less effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus than the first and second generations. It is not effective against Bacteroides fragilis.

• Cefepime