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Cephalosporins

Updated: Mar 29

Chemical Structure / Formula of Cephalosporins

  • Core Structure: β-lactam ring fused to a dihydrothiazine ring (unlike penicillins, which have a thiazolidine ring).

  • Different generations have variable side chains affecting their spectrum of activity.


Chemical Structure of Cephalosporins
Chemical Structure of Cephalosporins

Mechanism of Action

  • Similar to penicillins: inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by targeting penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), leading to bacterial lysis.

  • More resistant to β-lactamases compared to penicillins.

Uses

  1. First-generation: Gram-positive coverage (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus).

  2. Second-generation: Increased Gram-negative activity (Haemophilus, Enterobacter).

  3. Third generation: Broad-spectrum, effective against resistant Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas, Neisseria).

  4. Fourth/Fifth generation: Advanced activity against MDR bacteria and MRSA (Fifth generation).

Side Effects

  • Common: Diarrhea, nausea, rash.

  • Serious: Hypersensitivity reactions, C. difficile infection, nephrotoxicity (rare).


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