PROPERTIES OF CEPHALOSPORINS

Bactericidal
Same mechanism of action as Penicillin, but they bind to different proteins than those which bind penicillin
Aquired resistance occurs by three mechanism
Drug tolerant e.g. alteration in PBP
Drug impermeable
Drug destroying e.g. beta lactamases or cephalosporinase
Individual cephalosporin differ in
Antibacterial spectrum
Susceptibility to beta lactamases
Pharmacokinetic properties
Local irritancy on I.m. injection
ADR
Pain after i.m. injection
Diarrhea
HT reactions
Nephrotoxicity e.g. cephaloridine
Bleeding d/t hypoprothrombinemia e.g. cefoperazone & ceftriaxone
Neutropenia & thrombocytopenia are rare side effects
Disulfiram like reaction with alcohol e.g. cefoperazone
Uses
As alternative to PnG
Respiratory, urinary & soft tissue infections
Penicillinase producing staph. Infections
Septicemia caused by gram negative organism, an aminoglycoside may be combined
Surgical prophylaxis e.g. cefazolin
Meningitis:for empical therapy, iv ceftriaxone + ampicillin or vancomycin is given, for pseudomonas meningitis, ceftazidime +gentamycin is used
PPNG: ceftriaxone is DOC for single dose therapy of PPNG
Typhoid: ceftriaxone & cefoperazone are used
Mixed aerobic anaerobic infections
Hospital acquired infections
Prophylaxis & treatment of infections in neutropenic patients