Cephalosporin Drugs: An Overview of These Broad Spectrum Drugs
Administration and Uses
Cephalosporins are generally administered orally or via injection depending on the situation. Oral cephalosporins like cephalexin are given for mild to moderate infections.
Second generation Cephalosporins Drugs remain an important choice for treating various bacterial infections.
Injectable cephalosporins like ceftriaxone are popular choices for pneumonia, skin infections, urinary tract infections and other serious conditions requiring parenteral therapy. Some specific uses of different generation cephalosporins include:
- First generation - Otitis media, pharyngitis, skin infections.
- Second generation - Pneumonia, otitis media, tonsillitis.
- Third generation - Pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, sepsis, meningitis.
- Fourth generation - Nosocomial pneumonia, complicated urinary tract infections.
- Fifth generation - Complicated skin and skin structure infections, community-acquired pneumonia.
Adverse Effects and Precautions
Common mild side effects of cephalosporins include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and allergic reactions. More serious adverse effects are rare. Precautions include use in kidney or liver disease, history of penicillin allergy and during pregnancy and lactation. Drug interactions may occur with probenecid. As with all antibiotics, it is important to complete the full course of cephalosporin therapy as prescribed to prevent resistance. Periodic review of prescribing patterns helps optimize cephalosporin usage.
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