Antimicrobials- Cephalosporins

Question 1

Cephalosporins Overview

What kind of antibiotic are cephalosporins?

and thus are cross sensitive with what other type of drug

Answer 1

Beta-lactam antibiotics

cephalosporins are wanna be penicillins, so always assess for a penicillin allergy for these as well

Question 2

Cephalosporin Overview

How are cephalosporins usually administered to patient?

and what does that put the patient at risk of

Answer 2

Parenterally IV

thrombophlebitis

Question 3

Drug generations

The higher the generation of a drug the…

Answer 3

more potent/powerful it is

Question 4

The Cephalosporin Drugs

Name the three cephalosporin drugs

the three C’s

Answer 4

-Cefazolin
-Cefuroxime
-Ceftriaxone

Question 5

Commonalities

What are the actions & side effects of all ceph’s

Answer 5

Actions:
-bacterialcidal
-weaken cell wall
-bind to penicillin binding proteins (PBP’s)

Side Effects:
-bleeding
-thrombophlebitis

Question 6

Specific

Cefazolin

class, resistance, SE, taken for

Answer 6

Class: first gen (making it most similar to penicillin so don’t give if allergic to pen. cannot cross BBB)
Resistance: destroyed by beta lactamase
SE: allergies* (bleeding and thrombophlebitis)
Taken for: prophylaxis against infection in surgical patients

Question 7

Specific

Cefuroxime

class, resistance, need to know, taken for

Answer 7

Class: second gen
Resistance: less sensitive to beta-lactamase, more effective against gram -
Need to know: only ceph that can be given PO
Taken for: rarely used for active infection, mainly for respiratory infections (pneumonia, sinusitis, resp tract infection)

Question 8

Specific

Ceftriaxone

class, resistance, taken for

Answer 8

Class: third gen (strongest, highly effective against gram -)
Resistance: much more resistant so don’t want to give all the time
Taken for: CNS infection (meningitis bc it is able to cross BBB & penetrate CSF)